Leading UK architecture and design practice Stride Treglown has announced two promotions to its Board of Directors. The practice is evolving to an Employee Ownership Trust, a significant evolution of its structure and in line with its commitment to its B Corp certification.
Laura Cassullo and Danny Harris join the Board from 1 March. Laura joined Stride Treglown in 2023 and has overseen the practice’s period of growth in London, leading projects including Devonport House – a refurbishment and extension of a Grade II listed building for the University of Greenwich – and several retrofit projects for London Metropolitan University. She is also spearheading the expansion of London’s offer, building on the practice’s experience across the UK particularly in housing and adaptive reuse and retrofit.
Danny joined Stride Treglown as a graduate in 2014 and will become one of the practice’s youngest ever board directors. In four years as sector lead for schools, he has played a pivotal role in forging partnerships with leading contractors across the past three Department for Education frameworks. His forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in the development of offsite schools and designing one of the first net zero carbon schools in England.
Since his appointment as Bristol studio lead in 2022, Danny has overseen a diverse range of cross-educational projects, including state-of-the-art laboratories. He is currently studying for an executive MBA at the University of Bath, and brings fresh ideas into the senior leadership team, particularly in strategic thinking. In joining the board, Danny will retain directorial responsibility for the Schools and Colleges sector will oversee innovation, ensuring that new ideas progress from the incubator stage to market-ready service offerings.
Commenting on her appointment, Laura Cassullo said:
“This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to Stride Treglown’s evolution. Together, we’ll continue to develop our profile and strategy, anchored in the positive impact principles we embody as a practice.”
Danny Harris added:
“I am hugely thankful to the board for recognising my abilities and providing opportunities for growth. I am joining the board at an exciting time in the practice’s history, where we will evolve stakeholder engagement in key business decisions through the Employee Ownership model, and I’m proud to be part of this journey.”
Laura and Danny’s appointments coincide with Stride Treglown’s transition to an Employee Ownership Trust model, the next step in the practice’s journey that began in 2015 when it was one of the first architectural practices to become employee owned. The move strengthens its governance and gives the 300+ strong team a stronger voice in the running of the practice.
Speaking about the new appointments and structure, Stride Treglown’s Chair, Pierre Wassenaar said:
“We welcome Laura and Danny to the Board and are excited by the contributions they will bring. It’s vital to add fresh voices and make sure we are in the best shape to make the most of the opportunities and meet the challenges we all face.”
“The transition to an EOT model – that embodies the collaborative culture that’s always been at the heart of our practice – will build a fairer and more sustainable practice. It gives us a robust foundation for our future and, alongside our B Corp status, reinforces our commitment to positive investment and shared ownership.”