Steve Wardell retires as Managing Partner

Following a distinguished career spanning three and half decades, Landscape Architect and Urban Designer Steve Wardell has stepped down from his role as Managing Partner at Gillespies to spend more time with his family and pursue some unfulfilled personal ambitions. Steve officially retired on April 5, 2019, and is succeeded by fellow Partner, Jim Diggle.

Under Steve’s leadership, Gillespies has grown and flourished and is considered one of the UK’s largest and most successful landscape architecture practices. During his tenure, the practice has expanded in both the domestic and international markets, delivering a raft of landmark projects alongside some of the world’s leading developers and architects.

Steve Wardell commented, “As Managing Partner, I’ve enjoyed immensely helping to grow and sustain Gillespies, not only as one of the UK’s leading landscape design practices but increasingly as a highly respected international landscape and urban design business. After 35 years with the firm, I have decided that now is the right time for me to take a step back and hand the reins over to my fellow Partners. Gillespies will move forward with my long-term Partner and close friend, Jim Diggle, as Managing Partner.

“Jim possesses over 30 years' international experience in landscape design and masterplanning. We share the same vision for Gillespies, and I have every confidence that with the support of my fellow Partners and our talented teams, Gillespies will continue to produce thoughtful, sustainable and well-designed environments that are well-used and well-loved by the people that use them. ”

Jim Diggle said, “I’ve worked alongside Steve through three decades of growth and success at Gillespies. In my formative years, he was an exceptional mentor and, following a period of my working overseas, we have for the last 15 years toiled to extend our excellent reputation in the UK into the Middle East, Russia and Asia. As Managing Partner, Steve has presided over significant expansion, and his legacy includes award-winning built schemes and acclaimed masterplanning studies.”

Steve Wardell graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in 1975 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He joined Gillespies as an Associate in 1984, and became a Partner in 1986, before being appointed Managing Partner in 2010.

An advocate for demonstrating the value and importance of investing in high-quality public spaces, Steve has led and contributed extensively to many strategic masterplanning and urban regeneration projects in the UK and internationally. After many years involved in the development of the Royal Docks in east London, Steve led a wide range of projects for Gillespies including Glaxo SmithKline Research HQ in Stevenage, Royal William Yard in Plymouth; Paddington Basin in London, St. Helen's Square, Warrior Square Gardens in Southend-on-Sea; St Giles Circus in London; and Madinah Central Area Masterplan in Saudi Arabia.

Top Image: Steve Wardell, left, will be succeeded by Jim Diggle, right.

Bottom images: Paddington Basin, London and Warrior Square Gardens, Southend-on-sea, Essex