Supporting our Clients’ every step of the way
We strengthen our clients' capacity and confidence to lead building projects in today’s increasingly complex regulatory environment. Acting as trusted advisers, we guide them through their responsibilities—whether as duty holders, project champions, sponsors, or project delivery and operational teams.
Our experience extends to working closely with Boards, Councils, Committees, Members and Executive teams, translating complex technical and regulatory information into clear, accessible language for decision-makers and wider stakeholder groups.
From small-scale initiatives to major programmes of work, we’ve supported a wide range of clients, including:
Public sector organisations | Central government departments | Private developers | Charitable institutions | Housing associations | Schools and colleges | Building occupiers | Built environment professionals
We help our clients deliver successful, sustainable, and high-quality projects through strategic insight and impartial, expert guidance.
What our clients say
“Sarah has acted as a vital bridge between the world of professional architecture and passionate, but less technically minded, stakeholders; allowing them to feel involved in the design process, and work towards a final design that hopefully the Council and all aspects of the community will feel proud of.
We would absolutely recommend Sarah to any client that needs someone to demystify the world of architecture and help to facilitate community involvement in a project.”
Hugh D’Alton
Sevenoaks Town Council
Our Services
Whether you're seeking a one-off consultation, on-demand expertise, or ongoing strategic support, our aim is to build long-term, trusted relationships. We offer a flexible, transparent way to procure design thinking services—giving you the confidence to move forward without needing to overcommit at the outset.
Services include:
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Value definition (Value Toolkit facilitation)
Defining client requirements (Strategic brief writing)
Sustainability performance targets (Sustainability brief writing)
Stakeholder engagement and consultation
Advocacy and client-side representation
Project benchmarking
Information management and golden thread support
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Project brief development
Business case support
Sustainability briefing
Pre-feasibility and viability studies
Budget and risk evaluation
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Technical compliance and governance
Client team coaching and mentoring
Team selection and capability advice
Programme and procurement planning
Project governance and reporting support
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Consultant scope writing
Defining roles and responsibilities
Design team procurement and commissioning
Design competition strategy
Feasibility, viability, and briefing input
Strategic advice and optioneering review
Design proposal evaluation
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Independent design evaluation and review
Client-side support and assurance
Procurement, programme, and cost input
Stakeholder consultation and facilitation
Planning submission advice
Information exchange and communications
Change management and value evaluation
DQI facilitation (Design Quality Indicators)
Design risk management
Contractor tender and selection input
Contractor proposal review
Client and board-level reporting
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Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE)
'Soft Landings' process support
Competitions Advisory Services
Whether supporting a design competition, competitive interview, or traditional RFP procurement, Sarah brings a wealth of experience tailoring procurement processes to align with each client’s aspirations, priorities, and constraints.
While design quality is a core focus, Sarah ensures that cost, programme, and client objectives are fully addressed within the process. She regularly collaborates with the RIBA Competitions team, serving as a Competition Adviser on high-profile, design-led projects.
Services include:
Defining competition format and process | Competition requirements and criteria development | Project vision and brief writing | Engagement planning and facilitation | Competitor identification and support | Jury panel selection and chairing | Ensuring process compliance | Evaluation framework development | Review of design submissions | Ongoing client support through all competition phases
Bids and Pitching advice
We regularly work with public and private sector clients to review supplier submissions and evaluate design proposals, giving us valuable insight into how clients assess and select their teams.
We use this perspective to help professional teams enhance their written and visual submissions, communicate their value clearly, and tailor their approach to meet the expectations of panels and clients.
Services include:
Submission material reviews | Design reviews and feedback | Presentation content development | Presentation coaching and rehearsal
Whether it's a quick review or intensive preparation for a design competition or interview, we help teams sharpen their messaging and increase their chances of success.
What our clients say
“Sarah is a known expert in the construction industry and particularly in the design and delivery of educational buildings.
Having known her personally: Sarah is extremely bright, communicates very well and is highly insightful; she has a positive, collaborative, agile approach. In her consultancy practice Sarah has worked with a wide range of client bodies and design teams, and therefore has a strong sense of the parameters of cost, quality and time.”
Jennifer Singer
Design Adviser at DfE
Twickenham
Our sectors
Commercial & Mixed Use
Residential & Houses
Civic & Community
Education
Retail
Institutional & Third Sector
Heritage & Conservation
Public Realm