Team Profiles | HSSP Architects Ltd.
HSSP Architects has a dedicated team of professional architects backed up by architectural assistants and company administrators. We value the passion and professionalism of our staff and their dedication in delivering an enthusiastic personal service to our clients.

Richard Cooper
Director
BA (Hons) Dip Arch. Dip AP RIBA
Richard graduated from DeMontfort University & has been a member of the RIBA since 1995.
He lists a period of time spent at the Sasakawa International Centre for Space Architecture in Houston, Texas, as one of his more unusual achievements while at University.
Back on planet earth, he has been involved in a wide range of architectural sectors throughout his career, ranging from large scale retail developments, business parks, industrial and commercial projects along with domestic developments both within new build, extension and renovation sectors.
Richard enjoys the challenge of moulding each project to specific client needs and takes pride in the value that good design can add whatever the scale.
Away from the office he enjoys all sports, especially Rugby, outdoor activities & has two young sons to entertain.

James Botterill
Director
BA (Hons) Dip Arch. Dip AP RIBA
James graduated from The Macintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow in 1998 and became a member of the RIBA in 1999.
James first joined HSSP Architects in 1994 as a trainee then left to work with a well known commercial practice in Leicester, working on a mixed use town centre development. James rejoined HSSP Architects in 2003 as a Partner becoming a Director in 2007. James has experience in a wide range of sectors, working on numerous housing developments, animal welfare facilities, schools, doctors surgeries, sports centres, and commercial offices.
Away from the office James is a keen golfer, playing at Hinckley Golf Club, he has a handicap of 7. He is married and has 2 young children to keep him busy.

Nick Cooper
Director
BA(Hons) Dip Arch. Dip AP RIBA
Nick graduated from De Montfort University and then undertook a year long Rotarian Ambassadorial Scholarship at Sydney University, which involved the study of passive solar design techniques whilst working on commercial/leisure projects on the east coast of NSW and Queensland. After returning to the UK Nick joined HSSP Architects in 1994, becoming a member of the RIBA in 1997. He became a Partner in 2003 then a Director in 2007.
Nick is a season ticket holder at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, and has completed the London Marathon a number of times. In his spare time Nick is an active member of the local community scout group, a keen trumpet player and has served on the National Council of BYBAA Youth Band Organisation. He is married and has 2 daughters to help keep him in check.

Michael Etchells
Associate
BSc(Hons)
Mike studied Architecture and Environmental Design and after graduating in 2006 began work in Sheffield, focusing on city centre mix-use schemes and large refurbishments including the prestigious Riber Castle restoration.
After working as a Design Team Leader for a Derbyshire planning consultancy Mike joined the company in June 2014 as an Assistant Architect, bringing an added knowledge of policy as well as experience with site design for medium to large scale housing developments. He currently works alongside the directors on a multitude of projects from concept to detailed design.
Having a love for photography Mike has had commercial exhibitions of his work and currently runs a photography blog focusing on buildings, nature and his family. He enjoys all things outdoors and is an avid climber.

Ros Harvey
Finance & Business Manager
DipPFS, Dip CII, Certs CII (MP & ER), ACSI
Having run successful professional companies, multiple regional offices and departments, Ros joined HSSP as the Finance & Business Manager after spending many years within the financial services sector. She keeps the company’s finances in check and is developing the business as we look to the future.
Outside of work, Ros is kept busy renovating her house which seems a never ending task. She enjoys holding dinner parties and entertaining family and friends. Ros is also studying for various professional qualifications and tries to combine reading her study books with walking on her treadmill; multitasking at its best!!!

Samantha Griffiths
Associate and Chartered Architect
BA(Hons), PG Dip Arch, PG Cert PP, ARB
Samantha began studying at Birmingham City University in 1997, she completed her Post Graduate Diploma in 2006. In 2008 she took a career break to raise her daughter, returning to architectural practice in April 2012 with HSSP Architects. Last year she decided to return to university to complete her architectural education at the University of Nottingham. Having completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice she is now a fully qualified Architect. Sam has been given the opportunity to remain linked with the university and has become a study group champion, to aid the current years’ part III students.
Having around 11 years experience within the construction industry, she has accrued a wealth of experience on a variety of project types, including several office refurbishments, private housing, residential developments, retail parks and masterplanning schemes for Tesco’s.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, swimming and watching horror films (normally peeking from behind her pillow).

Ian Lowe
Chartered Architect
Bsc(Hons) M.Arch. PGCert PPA. RIBA ACIAT
Ian is one of the longer serving members of the practice having joined as a Technologist in 2003 before taking a sabbatical in 2012 to undertake a Master’s program in Architecture where he graduated with a first class and a clutch of awards. He became a Chartered Architect in 2016 and immediately joined the RIBA. Ian has over 15 years’ experience within the construction and design industry with a keen interest in environmental and sustainable technologies coupled with low-carbon and socially inclusive design.
Ian spends his spare time researching construction technologies and the ever developing world of sustainable architecture, as well as teaching construction technology on an ad-hoc basis at a local University.
Unusual Fact: You will often find Ian either listening to or travelling to see the Finnish Death Metal band Swallow the Sun

Angela Rennie
Office Manager
Angela enjoys sailing and spends most of her spare time at Rutland Water. After a moment of madness she bought an RS200 sailing dinghy which can be quite exciting and often results in a swim! She is a member of Rutland Sailing Club and regularly takes part in their club racing.
After settling her two sons into University this year she spent the summer bike-backpacking, with her husband, around Leicestershire, Norfolk and the Isle of Wight.
Angela enjoys pottering in her greenhouse and tending the vegetable plot which is laid out as raised beds in her front garden.
Having entered a number of sprint triathlons she enjoys keeping fit in her spare time.
Interesting fact :
After attending an evening bricklaying course Angela has built a boundary wall and patio at her home in Melton Mowbray.

Sarah Mickowski
Chartered Architectural Technologist
BSc (Hons) MCIAT
Sarah is a Chartered Architectural Technologist who graduated in 2006 from De Montfort University with a first class honours degree in Architectural Design Technology & Production. She has almost 15 years practice experience on a variety of projects including residential, offices, commercial, health homes, mixed use and listed buildings.
In 2012 Sarah successfully became a chartered member of CIAT and got involved with her institute CIAT, sitting on the committee and as a interview assessor. Sarah also spent three years lecturing and tutoring part time in 2013 at De Montfort University covering the Professional Practice elements on the BA and MSc courses in Architecture & Sustainability. Sarah was also a key figure in the design and production of the new technology course module templates and obtaining full accreditation from CIAT.
Sarah’s main interests and hobbies include spending time with her son, playing hockey, fitness training, socialising with friends and family and charity fundraising.

Sharon Masters
Administrator
Sharon joined HSSP Architects’ admin team in August 2005.
Sharon enjoys watching sport, and has been a keen Nottingham Forest FC supporter for over 35 years and attends as many games as she can throughout the season. She also enjoys going to watch Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey team and has supported them for over 25 years.
Away from supporting the two Nottingham teams, Sharon loves to go on mini European city breaks with her family and enjoys the different architecture, culture and food, one of her favourite cities is Rome.

Thomas Glenn
Architectural Assistant
Graduating from Edinburgh College of Art, Thomas gained two years’ experience working in an architects practice in Scotland before joining HSSP in 2013. During his academic career he has also been involved in charity and community building projects in Ghana and Romania. He enjoys getting his hands dirty and being involved in the construction process including working on an innovative straw bale house designed by HSSP for his sisters’ family. Thomas is currently working towards his ARB Part 3 to complete his training to be an Architect.
Thomas has a very strong interest in social and environmental issues, working on his family’s environmentally conscious farm. In his spare time he enjoys practicing capoeira, the Brazilian martial art, as well as cycle touring, music and astronomy. He has also recently taken up surfing and lindy hop.

Rachel Pressland
Administrator
Rachel graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 1997 and is married with two young girls and is returning to the workplace following an 8-year break after having her family. Rachel is juggling busy family life and working part-time with extending and decorating the family home. In her spare time, she enjoys running to keep fit and relieve day-to-day stresses.

Mark Geraghty
Chartered Architect
Mark is an RIBA registered architect and completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Post Graduate Diploma at the University of Nottingham in 2012. Mark has over 20 years’ experience working in a wide range of sectors, included several housing developments, affordable housing, distribution centres, commercial offices, schools and private dwellings. Mark has also worked on many prestigious listed buildings including churches, Whitehall, Greenwich Royal Naval College, Arundel Castle and Althorp where he was involved in the 1998 exhibition dedicated to the late Princess Diana.
Away from the office, Mark is a season ticket holder at Leicester Tigers Rugby Club and, as a keen skier, recently achieved a personal speed record of 53mph after 20 years of trying. Mark is married to Clare and they have 3 daughters who keep them very busy. Mark can also be found occasionally at a racecourse working with his family as a bookmakers clerk and has attended the last 8 Grand National race meetings ……… but please don’t ask him for racing tips as he never gets told the family secrets!

David Wilson
Architectural Technologist
BSc (Hons), ACIAT
Dave graduated from Northumbria University in 2016 with a BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology. Whilst studying for his degree he spent a year working within the Estates Development Department within Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust before joining HSSP Architects after graduating.
Away from work Dave has several hobbies including model making and is often found working on a variety of planes and other subjects such as cars, for which he has a great enthusiasm. He also likes to relax with his partner and enjoys watching his beloved Newcastle United Football Club.