People

Simon Venables, Director

Architect

BA(Com) DipArch(Com) RIBA

Simon opened the Wales office in 1988, became a Partner in 1989 and Director in 2001. As Project Director on numerous newbuild and refurbishment schemes, Simon enjoys working collaboratively with Housing providers, Schools, Colleges, Health Clients and Local Authorities in Wales and England.

Simon has substantial experience in partnering, traditional procurement and design build projects and enjoys new challenges. He is comfortable acting as Lead Consultant, Design Co-ordinator and Employer’s representative on a wide range of building types and believes sharing ideas and knowledge and investment in training and technology is fundamental to collaborative working.

Alf Plant, Director

Architect / Conservation Architect

BA(Hons) BArch(Hons) RIBA CA

Alf has been with Ainsley Gommon Architects for over 30 years, with a range of experience covering, masterplanning, community consultation, creative re-use and conversion of listed buildings and urban renewal. He is a affiliate member of the IHBC and a RIBA Conservation Architect, and has vast experience working on many buildings of historical importance. Recent projects have included the restoration of Birkenhead Priory. Alf is also on the register of Architects accredited by the Diocese of Chester to undertake quinquennial inspections.

Alf is also on the steering group for VCAW (Volunteer and Community Action Wirral) which is facilitated by Wirral Council to provide pro-bono professional services to charitable organisations that need help to get projects off the ground.

Paul Lester, Director

Building Surveyor

BSc(Hons) ICIOB CMaPS

Paul has been with Ainsley Gommon Architects since 1987, the first ten years of experience was gained simultaneously with part time education. His experience covers new build and concept housing; medium scale residential new build and refurbishment, community and recreational buildings and urban design projects.

Paul is the finance director for the Birkenhead office and is also responsible for several management roles, including leading the company’s Quality Assurance System which is accredited to ISO 9001. As well as being a qualified building surveyor Paul is also a registered Member of the Association for Project Safety. He has provided the services of CDM Co-ordinator and Principal Designer and also acted as a Party Wall Surveyor.

Maurice Garnett, Technical Director

Architectural Technologist, Energy Assessor

HNC OCDEA MCIAT

Maurice joined AG|A in 1997, was appointed an Associate in 2003 and became a Technical Director in 2023. As a Senior Architectural Technician nearing 40 years experience in architectural practice, he has worked on numerous new build and urban renewal projects and has considerable expertise in the technical aspects of site layout and building technology. A highly proficient AutoCAD/Revit technician with particular skills in construction detailing, he was instrumental in the office wide implementation of BIM using Autodesk Revit and as BIM manager, oversees the continued learning process required to achieve the BIM goals of the practice.

Maurice is a registered On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor.

Arwyn Lloyd, Associate Director

Architect

BSc BArch(Hons) MArch(Merit) RIBA

Arwyn joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in January 2019, following two years Project Architect experience in Vancouver, Canada & four years experience working as an Architect in the North West & North Wales. He has worked mainly on a range of residential and educational projects, and fully qualified as an Architect in 2015.

Arwyn was appointed Associate in 2021 & Associate Director in 2023.

He is a fluent Welsh speaker, born and raised in North Wales before relocating to Scotland to study at the Dundee School of Architecture, gaining a BSc BArch (Honours) and MArch (with Merit). Arwyn has a great enthusiasm regarding low energy construction and sustainable communities, expressed through his MArch research, working on a live build project centred around design constructing the UK’s first energy autonomous Passivhaus, the Macro Micro Studio.

Rachel Johnston, Associate

Architect

BA(Hons) DipArch RIBA

Rachel first joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in 2004 after completing her Part 1 at Liverpool John Moores University. After completing her Part 2, she returned to AG|A full time in 2007 and qualified as an Architect 18 months later. Rachel’s experience covers a range of project types, including; community engagement and consultation, education work, masterplanning and residential projects.

She has a special interest in contractual and legal issues, and is chair of the Contracts & Legislation Focus Group. Rachel is also a member of the Environmental Management System team, helping to implement our ISO14001.

Tom McEvoy, Associate

Architectural Technologist

BSc(Hons) MCIAT

Tom joined Ainsley Gommon in 2005 to complete his industrial placement whilst studying Architectural Technology at Nottingham Trent University. After 2 years placement and completing his degree, he returned to Ainsley Gommon in 2008 qualifying as a Charted Architectural Technologist in 2012. Tom’s experience covers a range of project types, including; conservation, residential, industrial and commercial projects. After a brief time away Tom returned to AG|A in 2020.

Enjoying many aspects of both Architecture and Technology Tom has a keen interest in both conservation and residential projects.

Neil Green

Architect

BA(Hons) DipArch

Neil first joined AGA in 2007 as a Part 1 student, in-between his studies at the Liverpool School of Architecture and Glasgow School of Art.

He re-joined the practice in October 2021 as an Architect, bringing with him varied experience working on a range of projects that includes bespoke residential, conservation and high-end commercial schemes.

Natalie Male

Architect

BA(Hons) MArch RIBA

Natalie joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in July 2014 after completing her Part 1 at the University of Liverpool. She remained at the practice part-time throughout the duration of her Part 2 course, before returning to AG|A full time in June 2018. Natalie is interested in all aspects of architecture but has a particular interest in both Conservation and Master planning.

She completed her Part 3 in Professional Architectural Practice to become a fully qualified Architect in November 2021.

Richard Oldham

Architectural Technologist

BSc(Hons) ACIAT

Richard joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in August 2016 after graduating from Glyndwr University with a BSc(Hons) in Architectural Design Technology. Richard has a strong eye for detail and has gained a key interest in sustainability. He also likes to keep up with the latest technology whether it be architecture or in general. Since joining Ainsley Gommon, he has been able to rapidly improve upon his skills in CAD and Revit along with gaining experience in education and residential projects.

Georgia Taylor

Architect

BA(Hons) MArch RIBA

Georgia was born and raised in North Wales. She is passionate about improving her local area and creating beautifully designed spaces towards a more sustainable future through
architecture.

Georgia completed her Part 1 and 2 qualifications at Manchester School of Architecture gaining a BArch with First Class Honours Award and MArch. She has worked on a range of residential, private domestic, educational, conservation and creative reuse projects. Georgia is interested in all aspects of architecture with a strong interest in design, but has a particular interest in contemporary design within historic context.

She completed her Part 3 in Professional Architectural Practice to become a fully qualified Architect in April 2024.

Elliott Deevy

Architect

BA(Hons) MArch RIBA

Having completed his Part 1 BA(Hons) and Part 2 MArch qualifications at the University of Liverpool, Elliott has gained practical skills and experience working on a wide range of projects across Wales and the North West, before joining Ainsley Gommon in March 2023.

He has a particular interest in sustainable projects which improve the built environment and add social value to local communities.

He completed his Part 3 in Professional Architectural Practice to become a fully qualified Architect in April 2024.

Idris Owen

Architectural Assistant

BArch(Hons) MArch

Idris joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in February 2016 after completing his Part 1 at the University of Lincoln. He is particularly interested in design, conservation and the history of architecture. During his time at AG|A Idris has worked on a range of residential, educational, community and restoration projects.

Idris completed his Part 2 at the University of Lincoln and returned to work at Ainsley Gommon full time in July 2019. He is currently working towards his Part 3 and intends on completing the qualification in the near future.

Osian Roberts

Architectural Assistant

BA(Hons)

Osian joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in August 2022 as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant on a full time basis, following the completion of his undergraduate degree at Liverpool John Moores University. Osian has a keen interest in conservation and residential architecture, having worked on a range of schemes since joining AGA.

Osian is currently completing his MArch at the Manchester School of Architecture, whilst working at Ainsley Gommon part time.

Isabel Piercy

Architectural Assistant

BA(Hons)

Isabel joined Ainsley Gommon in September 2022, having completed her Part 1 at the University of Liverpool. Before joining us, Isabel worked as an Architectural Assistant in a Liverpool based practice working on mostly residential projects. Isabel enjoys all aspects of architectural design, particularly conservation and heritage based projects.

Isabel is planning to return to university to compete her Master of Architecture in Autumn 2023.

Abby Latham

Architectural Assistant

Abby joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in March 2024 for a 6-month placement as part of her undergraduate degree at the University of Bath. Abby particularly enjoys architecture with a focus on contextual design and is keen to improve her BIM skills during her time at AGA.

Abby is planning to return to university in September to compete her Part 1 degree.

Tom Brennan

Architectural Technologist

Tom joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in August 2024 for a 12-month placement as part of his undergraduate degree at the UWE Bristol. Tom particularly enjoys the technical side of architecture with a focus on utilising different environmental technologies and is keen to improve his BIM skills during his time at AGA.

Tom is planning to return to university in September 2025 for the final year of his degree.

Jack Gustafson

Architectural Assistant

Jack joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in October 2024 after completing his undergraduate degree at Liverpool John Moores University.

He enjoys working in CAD and is looking forward to developing his BIM skills in the practice over the next year before returning to his Masters studies.

Allison Venables

Practice & Financial Administrator

Allison joined Ainsley Gommon Architects in 1993 after working for HSBC Bank for 17 years. Last year she celebrated 31 years working as the Wales Office Financial Administrator.

Allison is responsible for managing the practice’s accounts and utilising the most up to date accounting software to produce audits and maintain our financial compliance and VAT records, working closely with our Customers, Suppliers and Company Accountants. She also helps administrate the Practices’ Environmental Management Systems to ensure it achieves ISO 14001.

Grwndi

Full Time Home Office Cat

Grwndi started to make regular appearances in Teams meetings over the lockdown period in July 2020. Since then she has become a frequent member of weekly office meetings and has become quite popular among the staff. She enjoys sitting on her owner Idris’s keyboard and taking long naps next to the computer screen.