HLM Architects has appointed Russell Geary as associate, emergency services lead, to support the growth of its Birmingham studio and strengthen its work on secure public sector buildings.
Geary joined the Architects Registration Board in 2011 and has spent the past decade specialising in Bluelight projects for police forces across England and Wales, developing a reputation for designing secure environments that prioritise the safety, dignity and wellbeing of staff and detainees.
Based in Birmingham, he will work to expand HLM’s emergency services offer while collaborating with colleagues across the practice’s national network, with the firm saying his experience will strengthen both its Midlands presence and its wider capability in delivering complex, classified public-sector projects.
Geary said: “I’ve admired HLM for over a decade, recognising the practice as a leader in the public sector and a fantastic place to work. With a young family, relocating across the country wasn’t realistic, so the opening of the Birmingham studio presented an opportunity I was genuinely excited to pursue.
“HLM has one of the UK’s only truly dedicated Bluelight technical teams, offering the chance to work alongside specialists who understand the unique challenges of this sector. I’m equally excited to collaborate with colleagues across healthcare, education, defence and justice, sharing knowledge to advance trauma-informed, neuroinclusive design and modern methods of construction for the benefit of the communities these facilities serve.
“I’m passionate about creating environments that prioritise staff and detainee safety, dignity, welfare and wellbeing through trauma-informed design and I know the team at HLM share this passion.”
Steven Lennon, head of justice and emergency services at HLM Architects, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Russell to HLM at such an exciting time for both our justice and emergency services team and our Birmingham studio. Russell brings an exceptional depth of knowledge in the design and delivery of police and custodial architecture.
“His experience will further strengthen our specialist emergency services offering, bringing valuable insight that will benefit clients and project teams. Russell’s passion for trauma-informed design, staff and detainee wellbeing, and creating secure environments that support positive outcomes aligns perfectly with our own approach.
“As we continue to invest in Birmingham and expand our presence across the Midlands, Russell’s appointment not only strengthens our local capability but also reinforces the national expertise HLM has to offer. We’re excited to see the impact he’ll have as we continue to deliver future-focused environments for the emergency services and the communities they serve.”
Main image: Russell Geary as associate, emergency services lead, HLM Architects
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