Meet our new MD - Richard Flisher
How long have you been an Architect?
I’ve been a chartered Architect for more than 30 years after graduating from the University of Nottingham.
Tell us about your new role
In my new role as managing director I will be leading on our long-term growth strategy, ensuring the business continues to meet and exceed its targets. I will also continue to act as an Architect on key projects.
What inspired you to be an Architect?
Rarely without a drawing pencil in hand at school, I would spend most lunchtimes capturing the shapes of the buildings around me.
I grew up in Bristol and was particularly fascinated by the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Clifton, designed by Ron Weeks in the 1970s.
I did many, many pencil drawings trying to capture how Ron had carefully crafted the way daylight entered the building and fell onto the walls inside. From that moment on I was pretty sure I wanted to be an Architect. It’s a profession where the results are so evident and tangible (for better or worse!) which is very appealing to me.
Are there any projects you’re particularly proud of?
Every project has its fascinations and is a source of pride to me. But some outstanding moments during my career include delivering a carbon negative office building in Leicester that is so energy efficient it generates more energy than it uses.
I designed an office building in the heart of the city of London where I had the opportunity to visit a quarry on Portland Bill and choose the actual stone to be used for the facades (making me feel like Sir Christopher Wren, for an afternoon at least).
More locally, the award-winning Rushcliffe Arena in Nottingham has been well received by the local community and is adding to the health and happiness of people, which is great.
Throughout my career I have had opportunities to work in Central Europe, the Middle East and China, meeting and working with wonderful people.
Where do you see CPMG in five years from now?
I really believe the UK has a fantastic opportunity for exporting architecture. Design is an international language and UK Architects have a global reputation.
As CPMG advances its technology and skills to do what we do now, even better, I’m confident we can be seen as practice leading both in the UK and further afield.
We’ve already had some success in the international marketplace and I will be using my existing connections to identify new growth opportunities abroad.