Education sector boosts growth for Watson Batty

Watson Batty Architects has announced strong growth following a significant boost in projects in the education sector

Posted by Julian Owen | November 09, 2017 | Facilities & buildings

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Watson Batty Architects says it is on track to achieve a projected £3 million turnover by April 2018 and £4 million by 2020, representing a 20% growth year-on-year. 

Projects across the education sector currently account for almost 30% of turnover for the practice, making itself a reliable resource for the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding and procurement processes. 

Watson Batty has successfully designed and delivered a number of recent projects on behalf of the ESFA, including Dixons McMillan Secondary Academy in Bradford and Leeds' Temple Learning All Through Academy. Further ESFA funded projects are currently underway at Wynyard Primary School in Stockton-On-Tees and The Stephen Longfellow Alternative Provision Academy in Leeds. 

Other projects recently completed by the practice include a new £3.6 million annex for Hollybush Primary School in Leeds (pictured), and a £10 million refurbishment and link building extension for Hertha Ayrton STEM Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. 

Watson Batty has also seen a major increase in commissions in the residential sector, which accounts for 20% of current turnover and an increase in sports and leisure at 11%. The commercial and industrial sector remain the core of the business at 38%.  

Education Director, Mark Sidding, said: “These figures reflect our continued efforts to maintain a healthy mix of project work and, with an in-house team of 50 people, we are able to offer very specialist expertise as well as versatility. We continue to invest heavily in our technological capabilities to remain a future-focused practice for architectural, interior design and principal designer services, as well as master planning solutions.”  

For further details, visit: www.watsonbatty.com