SGP celebrates promotions

Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is delighted to announce that Tariq Khan has been promoted to Studio Director at SGP’s Solihull office and Juma Chipeta has become an Associate at the Birmingham office.

Tariq joined SGP in 2016 and has worked across a range of sectors, including commercial, education and residential. He has been deeply involved in masterplanning a number of distribution projects as Lead Architect.

Says Tariq: “I am passionate about design and bringing innovative yet practical design to projects which, historically, have not been seen as having – or needing – a strong aesthetic flair. With the right client, design can become central to a scheme, giving it a personality that is attractive to end users. Creativity combined with rigorous technical knowledge can deliver beautiful and practical buildings.”

When he joined SGP as Principal Architect in 2017, Juma brought over 27 years of experience in a variety of sectors, particularly housing, specialist mental health units and care homes as well as commercial office and industrial buildings.

Juma explains: “I enjoy working with people, co-ordinating teams, bringing out the best ideas in design and delivery and applying them to the project. I am part of SGP’s Delivery Group, looking at all things related to progressing the design from concept to completion, particularly encouraging communication and cooperation across the practice.”

Juma has worked on office, warehouse and training buildings at Prologis’ RFI DIRFT as well as a 113,000 sqft bespoke warehouse facility with ancillary offices at Plot 1050 London Gateway.

Tariq continues: “These are exciting times, with the increasing importance of sustainability and the use of new technology. Not only the increased use of BIM methodologies and better understanding of the power of Revit, but new visualisation technologies like Virtual Reality make developing ideas with the client more impactful and understandable.”

Concludes Juma: “It is one of the strengths of SGP that the practice is always looking to develop its staff, nurturing our interests and encouraging on-going learning and development. Internal promotions are an important affirmation that the senior management values our input and skills and wants to keep them within the company.”

Richard Smyth, Partner at the Solihull office, sums up: “The West Midlands region has seen substantial growth in staff numbers during the past 24 months to cater for new and existing project demands. We are proud of the relationships we have with existing clients and excited with regards to the new opportunities. The promotions of both Tariq and Juma are thoroughly deserved. Their contribution, commitment and expertise has played a large part in our recent growth and continued success. A huge thankyou to both of you.”