Marrons Makes Birmingham Urban Design Team Hire

Design, planning and development consultancy Marrons has expanded its masterplanning and urban design team with the appointment of Sarah Middleton – a highly talented associate director in Birmingham.

With a wide range of design experience, Sarah has joined Marrons following more than three years at edgeUD where she worked on masterplanning and urban design projects at various scales, with a particular focus on strategic land promotion, placemaking and outline applications.

In her new role, she will be working with housebuilder, developer and strategic land clients on land promotion, urban extensions, mixed-use and urban regeneration projects – guiding the proposals from feasibility through to planning approval.

Sarah said: “It is an exciting time to join Marrons with the growth of the design team, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that as it evolves. The consultancy’s B-Corporation status and commitment to social and environmental sustainability also aligns with my values and interest in creating high-quality, healthy and sustainable places for people.

“It is also great to be part of a multidisciplinary team, and I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with colleagues in related disciplines such as planning, heritage, architecture and socio-economics, and continuing to grow and collaborate with colleagues with these wider specialisms.”

Marrons’ roots are in planning, but the consultancy has since added masterplanning and urban design, socio-economics, heritage and architecture to its list of services, with locations across the country – including the Midlands, London, the South East and, most recently, the South West.

Partner Luke Hillson recently joined the consultancy from Barton Willmore to head up its national masterplanning and urban design service, and Tom Macklen joined the business last year to head up its architecture service.

The consultancy has also recently welcomed masterplanning and urban design director Maria Vierma, heritage director Hannah Hamilton-Rutter, planning partner Ian Blacker, and planning partner Charlotte El Hakiem.

Luke Hillson, masterplanning and urban design partner at Marrons, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the team. Her excellent urban design, visioning, promotion and feasibility experience will be invaluable as we continue growing our design offering across the Midlands and nationally. She is a highly talented designer and will further strengthen our masterplanning and urban design team in Birmingham city centre.”

Marrons are proactively seeking team and lateral hires.