THE former co-owner of a Hereford-based architect practice has taken over and been named its managing director.

Mark Powles joined RRA Architects in 1995 and has been a driving force in the business, becoming a director before the age of 26.

He now has sole ownership and has been named the firm's managing director.

With the assistance of the senior management team Alex Whibley, Oliver Steels, Fred Hamer and Jane Cooke, RRA’s turnover increased last year by 50%.

Mr Powles said: "[In 2016] we won the Civic Award for Heritage Work on Pittville Gates in Cheltenham, designed two award-winning developments with Freeman Homes in Ross and achieved planning permission to add penthouses to the top of Eagle Tower, a project that will effectively change the skyline of Cheltenham.”

Last year's growth led to three new employees in the Hereford office alone, two in London and the creation of the new Shrewsbury office.