Angela Reeve Senior Director at Turley in Birmingham has been appointed as Chair of Trustees for Design Midlands. We asked her some questions about her professional pathway and what she hopes to bring to the organisation.
When did you start working with Design Midlands?
I started working with Design Midlands about three years ago, having been introduced to the organisation by another Trustee.
Why do you think an independent Design Review is important?
An independent design review harnesses the benefits of people’s experience and uses that to create something better through greater diversity of thought. It’s important to have critical friends to consider applications; it’s an easy trap to fall into just to criticise, but a powerful tool to engage critical friends who are there to help produce the best result.
What is your current day job?
I’m a Town Planner and Senior Director for Turley in Birmingham. My work is generally East and West Midlands based, so I know the patch really well and understand the communities in which I work. I have experience of the challenges facing both developers and local authorities so that means I can see how best to help them. For Design Midlands we’re looking at the big picture and can see where we can fit in and be agile in helping those we work with.
How did you arrive here in your career? Tell us about your professional pathway
I was an undergraduate in Geography at Birmingham University, and the course included a planning module. I enjoyed learning more about the environmental and social implications of planning and spent some time working with consultancies. I then did a Masters in Sheffield, joined Drivers Jonas Deloitte for 10 years and have been at Turley for 11 years. I have worked on a range of projects across different sectors, residential, commercial, educational and governmental for the Justice Department.
Why did you choose to take on the role at Design Midlands and what will you bring to the role?
A body like Design Midlands can support making better places in the context of the growth agenda. Whether it’s logistics or energy infrastructure or residential or commercial development, we can support and make a difference. There are all sorts of changes locally including having an East Midlands Mayor for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, so we will be seeing more strategic development plans across mayoral areas and developments of significant scale where we can really have an impact creating place.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to Chair a great team of Trustees with a wealth of experience across the Midlands as a whole.
What makes Design Midlands special?
Design Midlands has brilliant expertise on the design review panel and a proactive group of Trustees who want to see the organisation be really effective under the strong leadership of Julie Tanner. We have enthusiasm – at a time when local authorities are struggling with resources, we’re a friendly team not there to criticise, but to support the ambition.
What’s your favourite building?
The area around Coal Harbour neighbourhood in Vancouver contains a great collection of buildings. As the transition between the busy city, Stanley Park and the mountains beyond, it is a great example of regeneration of industrial areas into thriving neighbourhoods.
The convention centre is famous for its green roof, but bringing this together with residential, commercial and retail floorspace – all of which make the most of the amazing views – is the special part. The use of lighting at night is particularly special!
Who are your favourite architects of all time?
I would go with Perkins and Will as my international favourites, with Howells as the local practice I have worked with and particularly benefited from, working with Glen on Paradise.