The UK’s largest design practice BDP has appointed David Cash as its International Development Director.
Mr Cash, who has been chairman of the Manchester studio of BDP since 1994, will take up his new position with immediate effect.
Mr Cash will be based in Manchester, from where he will focus on the strategy to evolve BDP from a major European practice to a leading world design organisation.
Formed 47 years ago, BDP is the seventh largest practice of its kind in the world, despite having only three offices outside the UK, including its associate practice Groupe 6 in France.
The practice will seek, selectively, to grow its network of overseas offices. Initial target locations include new offices in Eastern Europe and in India. Earlier this year, BDP merged with Dutch urban planning specialists Khandekar.
Mr Cash said: “The interdisciplinary expertise within BDP of urbanism, engineering, architecture and other design disciplines is well-placed to service growing markets worldwide. International work is set to become the prime focus. Currently we do 10% of our work for foreign clients. We have set a target of doubling that to 20% in two years.
“BDP expertise in retail, education, healthcare and urbanism has an international reputation and we see definite potential in these sectors. Diversifying client and markets will make BDP more robust over the long-term. We see the eventual level of work outside the UK as 40% of practice turnover.”
Mr Cash took over as chairman of BDP’s Manchester studio in 1994 and has steered its impressive growth.
At the same time, Mr Cash has led BDP’s international activity, including the upgrading of the historic GUM department store in Moscow, the Vasco da Gama retail and mixed-use scheme on the Expo ’98 site in Lisbon and a current project to design 10 new universities in Libya, with sites ranging from urban coastal locations to the Sahara Desert.
New projects with which Mr Cash will be involved include a children’s hospital in Ukraine and working with IKEA on new shopping centres across Russia.
A new Manchester studio chairman will be announced in summer 2008.
David Cash - Mr Cash joined BDP in June 1980, became an Associate in November 1985 and an Equity Partner in May 1990 (subsequently transmuted to Company Director following BDP’s incorporation in 1995). He took over leadership of BDP’s Manchester studio in May 1994.