HKS Architects Strengthens Advisory Offer with Key Strategic Hire

The London studio of HKS Architects welcomes Ben Martin as Associate Principal. Ben joins the practice following 10 years with AECOM; and prior to that, 12 years with Economic Research Associates (ERA).

Ben specialises in helping clients to make informed strategic decisions on their real estate development and investment, based on experience and evolving market intelligence. He has worked primarily within the leisure and hospitality sector, and will continue to add value for HKS’s portfolio of clients in this area, but will also bring his insight, demographic, economic and market analysis to projects across the practice’s health, education, sports and entertainment, and commercial sectors, working on projects in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, North Africa, and the US.

“We live in an ever more complex world where rapid change and disruption is challenging the way we live, work, travel and play, and it can be hard for clients to keep up with trends in patterns of demand, behaviour, construction and project economics. However, with uncertainty and disruption comes opportunity. But few take time to think beyond the chaos of the everyday to anticipate, plan and engage with change. The opportunities are out there and I love to help our clients to find smart and commercially prudent ways to take the initiative,” comments Ben.

HKS London’s managing director, Francis Gallagher adds, “We are increasingly finding that clients come to us for advice on much more than a building or master plan. The business case for any real estate development or investment starts well before the first sketch, and we are very excited to be able to offer that capability in-house in London with Ben’s arrival.”