OURÂ
TEAM
OUR TEAM
Jim has over 40 years of experience in the industry, working for approving bodies, developers, and consultants. During his time, he has designed and detailed various sizes of projects for all aspects of commercial, education, healthcare, MoD, industrial, and residential infrastructure. Jim has worked on projects in the UK and internationally and has been involved with master planning and pre-purchase through conception, seeking approvals, site presence, final handovers and adoptions.
Away from work, Jim enjoys clay pigeon shooting and spending time with his wife and their dog. He also spends time raising funds for charity and has been a lifelong Marvel fan.
Jim Rudd
Managing Director
Managing Director
Nikki is an experienced Town Planner having developed her career over 20 years in local planning authorities, private practices, and non-profit organizations. She has a positive and proactive approach to planning with a professional skill set in high quality urban design and placemaking with effective green and blue infrastructure resulting in a people/place centric approach to developments where people want to live, spend time, and engage with their surroundings.
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Away from SPD Studio Nikki likes to spend time with family and friends, take part in CaniCross with her Labrador Hector and support her daughters sport activities.
Nikki Dawney
Associate Town Planner
Josephine is an Architect, Interior Designer and Artist with thirty years of experience and a unique talent for listening to clients' thoughts and emulating their ideas into exciting and inspiring spaces. With a particular interest in Landscape and Masterplan, Interior Design and Brand Implementation, her experience and intuition will ensure the project has exceptional quality.
Often her work will be unexpected but will have the qualities that the client holds dear in not only the appearance of the building or interior but the ambience, feel, goals and aims and character of the client. Josephine believes Architecture is a pleasure to be enjoyed by both Architect, Client, and Builder. Project-making should be an experience of joy and respect.
Away from work, Josephine enjoys spending time with family, her dogs and doing her family’s portraits when they let her.
Josephine Harkins
Principal Architect
Managing Director
As a registered Professional Engineering Technologist, Salvatore has been designing structures for over two decades. He is highly proficient in the design of structures both in terms of size and complexity, and joined SPD Studio in 2022 as an Associate Structural Engineer.
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His experience encompasses high profile, multi-storey mixed-use buildings and conference centres as well as rail infrastructure, low-rise building alterations and developments. His first-hand knowledge of infrastructure ranges from design through to the production of sequencing drawings for railway works, underpasses, roadworks and bridges. Salvatore has a proven track record of delivering technically challenging projects throughout his career as a Structural Engineer. Salvatore speaks four languages and, in his spare time, enjoys spending time with his family.
Salvatore Errera
Associate Structural Engineer
Managing Director
Ellen joined SPD in April 2023 and is a Charted Town Planner with over 10 years of experience, including two years working in Australia. Ellen spent several years working across planning enforcement, regeneration, and development management before jumping the fence to the private sector, where she has relished the challenges and rewards of working as a planning consultant. Ellen has worked on a huge variety of projects across London and the South East, with a focus on major-scale residential and mixed-use schemes.
Outside work, Ellen enjoys socialising with family and friends and planning as many holidays as possible.
Ellen Nicholson
Senior Town Planner
Managing Director
Parisa is a recently qualified Architect with over five years of experience in architectural practices covering RIBA stages 0-3. Primarily focusing on high-end residential schemes, Parisa has gained a breadth of knowledge from some of the leading designers and mentors in the field. Parisa continues to weave her interest into discovering the hidden stories that are found in our daily lives. Alongside practice, she is a Postgraduate Mentor for a postgraduate unit at University of Greenwich giving back to young designers of tomorrow through knowledge sharing, guidance, and skills. Parisa spends her time off baking and socialising with her friends and family and visiting London.
Parisa Shahnooshi
Architect
Managing Director
George joined SPD Studio in May 2023 as a Design Engineer and has 10 years of experience within the industry. George has a great range of skills where civil engineering has been implemented, including London high-rises, large residential projects, logistical sheds, major highway schemes, and unique commercial sites, taking them from stage 2 planning to construction.
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He is also proficient in a wide range of software, including but not limited to Microdrainage, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, AutoTrack, ArcGIS and QGIS, and Site 3D.
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Outside of work, George is a keen cyclist, regularly re-building and replacing components on different bikes in his shed, and enjoys cooking new meals. Most of his free time is now spent raising his young family.
Senior Civil Design Engineer
George Westgarth
Managing Director
Emily joined SPD Studio in December 2021 as an Architectural Assistant, after receiving a First Class Honours for her undergraduate degree in Architecture at the University of the Creative Arts, Canterbury.
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Emily became interested in material use and research during her studies, specifically focusing on cross-laminated timber for her designs; their different construction methods and finishes which create different internal environments. In her spare time, Emily enjoys baking, film photography and crafts. Emily is planning to return to university in the near future to continue her studies, while simultaneously working at the studio.
Emily Cater
Architectural Assistant
Managing Director
Born and raised in Australia, Abbie's passion for exploration ignited a journey that led her to live in France, Scotland, and England. Abbie has a Diploma in Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing and a wealth of technology and design experience. As the dedicated Studio Coordinator at SPD Studio, she dons multiple hats in brand design and management and assists with the financial management of the studio and administration.
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Beyond her professional pursuits, Abbie is the Volunteer champion as part of our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy. She is heavily involved in spearheading impactful initiatives within her broader community. She's also an esteemed member of the Colchester Archaeological group, immersing herself in the intriguing depths of Roman history. Abbie's curiosity fuels her quest for knowledge, propelling her to explore new horizons and immerse herself in diverse cultures. Whether hiking, playing sports, mastering new languages, or pursuing her creativity through art and pottery, she is excited to have other like-minded creatives in the studio.
Abbie-Maree Cooper
Studio Coordinator
Managing Director
OUR CULTURE
We bring together the best talent from across our industry, creating teams that navigate clients through the planning and development system successfully.
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At SPD Studio we build long-term relationships with our clients and consultants, which allows us to provide personalised, clear and honest advise throughout the entire process. We have created a workspace where opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute and where excellence is rewarded. The result is our people are highly motivated, ensuring you have the best experience.
