Ian hillier

Having worked across multiple sectors, I have experience of developing effective relationships with key stakeholders including key members of staff, up to Director level, as well as project managers, architects and contractors.

I feel this is one of the key aspects to delivering a successful project and helps foster a collaborative approach to project challenges as they arise.

I also have a solid working knowledge of building regulations such as Part B & M along with relevant BS guides, such as BS8300

One of my successful projects was working as Lead Designer at Leicestershire County council over 3 years, working as part of the Design Team to deliver a consistent scheme across the Glenfield Campus.

Acting as main point of contact, the project involved working across different types of buildings, from offices built from the 70s to the 90s, each bringing unique challenges such as working with asbestos to upgrading outdated lighting and M&E. Upgrades included making the spaces more accessible such as introducing accessible WCs and Showers.

The role called for the production of Feasibility Plans (RIBA stages 2-3) and producing full Tender Working Drawing and Construction Working Drawing packs (RIBA stages 4-5)

This involved advising on and specifying wallcoverings, floor finishes, partition types, manifestation & FF&E for example

I have also worked as part of an Estates Team for a University as a Space Planner/Designer.

This role whilst similar to the LCC role, involved more face to face interaction with clients and developing and maintain good business relationships across both professional serves and multiple faculties as the main point of contact.

The faculty projects in particular produced specific challenges such as proving design for exacting client requirements such as specialist testing rigs for soil samples

My civil service role exposed me to working on large scale office projects, both Shell & Core and CAT B refurbishments. The role also involved being part of a delivery team and working with Tier One contractors checking for compliance against all relevant Design Guides, Annexes and sharing information on Common Data Environments and providing advice to multiple departments, each with their own specific requirements.

I have worked on Workplace strategies for HSBC, British Telecom and Rolls Royce amongst others. This has involved reviewing the workplace by carrying out an audit and an accommodation study.

By gathering this extensive information at the start of a project, organisations can understand how well (or not) the spaces are being used and also gather information from staff on what works and more importantly what doesn't work and what needs improvement.

This hard space usage data can be used to drive and inform workspace strategies, inform realistic attendance levels, and can help design schemes that are user driven and reflect what organisations and/or departments require to create the most effective and inspirational working environment possible.

I have also worked with many FF&E suppliers, such as SouthernsBroadstock, Senator & Wagstaff and regularly attend Clerkenwell Design to keep abreast of the latest trends and products. Other suppliers I have worked with include Interface, Milliken & Kvadrat.

1994-96 University Of Portsmouth Environmental Design Qualifications: BA (Hons) 2(i) 

1992-94 University College Salford Spatial Design Qualifications: HND