Tell us more about when you worked for DB3 before.

It feels like a long time ago… My last role with DarntonB3 was working primarily delivering Asda projects with Tony Clayton who is now a Senior Associate with DB3. We delivered all Asda Living projects alongside Monaghans Surveyors – it was hard work, but good fun. We also delivered all of the original ‘Asda Supermarket’ projects with ISG when Asda bought a tranche of Somerfield, Coop and Netto stores.

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

The ability to control time.

How would you summarise your career so far?

Lucky! I have been honoured to spend my career working with high quality professional colleagues as well as mentors, who have provided me with valuable insight and growth over the years. Specifically, those who have had the most positive influence on me are Steve Oliver, Neil Winch, James Farrow, Paul Weaver, Tom Smith, Barry Knowler, Dale Simpkins, Colin Gush, Alistair Hamilton, Liam Rafferty, Barry Race and Nicky Abdulla. There are countless others who I have been lucky enough to see in action and had the opportunity to learn from. Long may that luck continue…

What are your 3 biggest aims for DB3?

Getting through Coronavirus with minimal impact to the lives of the team here at DB3 is obviously the first order of business, however our goals as an organisation are to firstly celebrate our successes and generate more recognition of our major areas of technical expertise. Having now rebranded to DB3, I am looking forward to appropriately aligning the DB3 brand with our capability with the introduction of our new website and business look and feel.

Secondly, we have an ambition to significantly grow the DB3 business to serve more clients in our key sectors and build on the great work done to date. Our national coverage is strong and that will continue to be the case under our new management structure and 2020 business plan.

Thirdly, to achieve our growth plans, it will be necessary to continue to retain and develop the current team at DB3 and also attract the best talent to DB3 both in terms of senior level appointments and the recruitment of a cohort of graduates and apprentices. For us to become one of the top Architecture led design practices in the UK it will come down to people and they will be our focus.

Many thanks for your time Nathan and once again welcome on board!

No problem, delighted to be back. I cannot wait for the lockdown to end and get out to meet our clients and the remaining members of the DB3 team in person. Teams meetings are great, but there’s no substitution for meeting in person. Fingers crossed we get through this swiftly.