New role for a new era
Bill Jennings is the founder of our practice. He’s the J in JDA. Having shaped and led JDA, Bill is now taking on a new strategic position.
In this consultancy role, he’ll continue to support us, providing invaluable guidance and insight as we enter a new era. With the help of Bill’s unique perspective and knowledge, we can continue to grow JDA with confidence.
JDA’s current managing director, Rob Henderson and directors Karen O’Reilly and Tom Kelly have completed a management buy-out of the business and are planning JDA’s future to preserve Bill’s legacy.
“I’m really proud of how JDA has grown and developed over the last 24 years. Its a long way from our start in Irwin Street and I’m massively looking forward to seeing where the team will take us in the coming years – the practice is in safe hands!”
What Bill created
Bill took a leap of faith, setting up his architecture practice in 2000. It paid off. JDA grew and thrived. Crucially, Bill established sound foundations for the practice, developing a distinctive approach and philosophy.
How would we sum this philosophy up?
It’s about listening carefully to people’s needs and putting the end-user first. This is where we know we will have the most positive impact.
Bill ensured JDA’s focus has been inwards as well as outwards. He’s nurtured talent carefully within the practice because he’s always recognised the importance of training the next generation of architects and the generation after that.
Under Bill’s guidance, JDA has combined scale and ambition with care and concern for wellbeing.
Our practice has never worked in a vacuum. The context has been as important as the outcome, if not more so. As architects, we’re part of a culture beyond the built environment, with a shared responsibility for people’s quality of life.
This has been Bill’s vision for JDA, shared by us and something we’ll preserve, protect and progress.
A new era of design and direction
Rob, Karen and Tom will carry Bill’s legacy forward. Rob joined in 2002, Tom in 2004, and Karen in 2012. They have a deep understanding of the practice. Alongside Bill, they have helped shape JDA.
Between them, they’ve a combined total of over 50 years’ experience.
These three directors taking the reins represent a logical progression. It’s a continuation rather than a radical reinvention.
“Tom, Karen and I are hugely excited to take the practice forward. The opportunities ahead of us are incredible and we are ideally placed to continue delivering for the clients and communities we are proud to work alongside”
Over the last three years, JDA has already undergone change, refining its brand and message to sharpen its focus on pressing issues in the built environment, including sustainability and regeneration.
The practice is further developing its retrofitting services to offer affordable but transformative designs to improve people’s quality of life.
We want to provide innovative packages to support healthier living through better development of existing housing stock. We’re embracing a new era. We’re aiming for B Corp certification to show our commitment to positive change as we continue to develop and grow.
Bill Jennings has had a lasting impact on the business, giving it a distinctive ethos and a powerful momentum. He will continue to give us his essential support as we take JDA forward.
