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Architecture Companies in Derby: 75 Active Firms (2026)
Architecture companies in Derby provide regulated building-design, planning and consultancy services across the city and surrounding area.
Buying centres tend to sit with property owners, local developers, estates teams and project sponsors rather than centralised procurement functions. Work usually arrives as professional-fee appointments around feasibility, planning, technical drawing, design coordination and consultant management, with separate phases rather than long retained contracts. The buyer mix spans residential schemes, commercial premises, public-sector work, education estates, infrastructure-adjacent projects and mixed-use development. In practice, this makes Derby architecture a relationship-led services market: small practices compete on sector familiarity, planning credibility and the ability to coordinate surveyors, engineers and contractors across local projects.
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Derby has 75 actively trading architecture companies in the local cohort. Reported headcount totals 148 people, so the employment footprint is closer to an owner-managed professional-services market than a branch-office consultancy base. Scale is concentrated at the lower end: 1 practice sits above £5M turnover, while 17 were incorporated since 2022. That mix points to a city market with a long tail of small studios and newer practices, where capacity for larger public, education or infrastructure work is likely to depend on partnering, framework access or specialist subcontracting.
The statutory boundary is the architect title, not every design or planning-support activity. Under the Architects Act, individuals and business entities using that title must meet registration, control, management and supervision conditions, with ARB responsible for the register and title protection. RIBA has a different role as a professional body and source of practice and economic reporting. For Derby practices, the market-structure implication is plain enough: firms that sell regulated architecture sit alongside unregistered design consultants, planning advisers and technical-drawing providers, so title use and professional oversight matter when classifying the sector.
Future demand appears tied to the local construction cycle and the ability of small practices to win repeat work from developers, public bodies and education estates. The cohort has an owner-managed feel, with scale-up scarcity and a relatively thin layer of higher-turnover practices. That tends to favour partnerships, framework participation and specialist niches over broad service expansion. Regulatory pressure is unlikely to reshape the market by itself, but title protection, professional indemnity expectations and planning complexity should keep the boundary between regulated architecture and adjacent design consultancy commercially relevant.
75
Active firms
2026
1
Over £5M turnover
17
Recent incorporations
since 2022
Key facts
About 1% of the trading cohort reports turnover above £5M (1 of 75 firms) — the rest sits below that revenue band.
22% of the cohort was incorporated since 2022 (17 firms), so a sizeable share is in its first few filing cycles.
Section 20 of the Architects Act 1997 protects the title “architect”, so bodies corporate, firms and partnerships using it need registration-linked control, management or supervision by a registered person.
The Architects Registration Board holds the statutory register and enforces title protection; RIBA acts as a professional body and source of practice and economic reporting.
DCMS estimates creative industries GVA at £145.8 billion in 2024, equal to 5.5% of UK GVA, with Architecture growing by 6.8% between 2023 and 2024.
RIBA’s Winter 2024/25 economics note described a weak construction sector and architects as still pessimistic about future workloads at the end of 2024.
A 2024 European sector study reported around 580,000 architects across 30 European countries and said nearly 70% of architectural practices were solo operations.
Top Derby Architecture companies
Simon Foote Architects Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsProvides architectural design services for residential, commercial and heritage projects. Prepares concept designs, planning applications, 2D drawings and 3D models, conducts site assessments, and…
Sells to property owners and landowners seeking architectural services for residential, commercial and heritage or conservation projects, primarily in Derby, Derbyshire and the Midlands.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -5% CAGR over 4y
Location
MMA Design (Derby) Limited
Trajectory
4y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsProvides architectural design and planning services for commercial, residential, education and public sector projects. Works on masterplanning, new‑build developments, housing schemes, barn…
Serves a mix of B2B, public sector and private clients across the Midlands, including property developers, house builders, schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs, charities, small businesses,…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · 3% CAGR over 3y
Location
PLANNING AND DESIGN PRACTICE LIMITED
Trajectory
4y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsProvides town planning consultancy and architectural design services, including planning applications, appeals and enforcement advice. Offers heritage and listed building consultancy, urban design,…
Serves homeowners, property developers, business owners, farmers, landowners and public sector bodies across the UK, from small-scale property projects to large development schemes.
Financial Health
StableStable · 2% CAGR over 3y
Location
Woore Watkins Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2020–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed · -68% CAGR over 4y
Location
MORRISON DESIGN LIMITED
Trajectory
4y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsProvides architectural design, principal designer and project management services for building projects, including hotels, restaurants, conference centres, healthcare and technology facilities, as…
Sells to businesses and public sector organisations commissioning architecture, principal designer and project management services, especially hotels, hospitality venues, science and technology…
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 8% CAGR over 3y
Location
Trajectory
5y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsProvides town planning and architectural design consultancy for residential, commercial and public sector developments. Services include planning applications, masterplanning, environmental impact…
Serves homeowners, housebuilders, land promoters, property developers, local authorities and organisations in retail, education, health, leisure, commercial, energy, regeneration, minerals and waste…
Financial Health
DistressedDistressed · -16% CAGR over 4y
Location
Vitaly + Partners Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
SPACES@360 LTD
Trajectory
1y · 2025–NowFinancial Health
Insufficient historyInsufficient history
Location
Derek Latham & Co. Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsProvides architectural and urban design services including design of new buildings and housing, conservation and restoration projects, urban planning and landscape design, and strategies for the…
Serves property developers, landowners, asset owners and private clients commissioning buildings, housing, conservation repairs and regeneration schemes on sensitive or challenging sites.
Financial Health
StableStable · -2% CAGR over 4y
Location
A W Custom Design Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Kraftd Group Ltd
Trajectory
1y · 2025–NowFinancial Health
Insufficient historyInsufficient history
Location
DARLEYFIELD PROPERTIES LIMITED
Trajectory
5y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · -68% CAGR over 4y
Location
TAD UK STEEL LIMITED
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Studio Wolter Navarro Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2020–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
O PLUS K Ltd
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
EMGA Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Harmer Fitz Douglas Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Sigma Architects Limited
Trajectory
3y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · Hiring · 123% CAGR over 2y
Location
Manik Architects Ltd
Trajectory
2y · 2023–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 2 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
SCG Design Ltd
Trajectory
4y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 3y
Location
FINLEY HARRISON ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES LIMITED
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong · Hiring · 11% CAGR over 4y
Location
Worcester Lloyd Limited
Trajectory
2y · 2025–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 2 filingsProvides architectural and structural engineering services for residential and commercial building projects, including loft conversions, extensions, bespoke new-build homes, interior design, planning…
Serves private homeowners planning loft conversions, extensions and bespoke new-build homes, plus commercial property owners, developers and businesses with property projects.
Financial Health
StableStable · Hiring · 40% CAGR over 1y
Location
Making Plans UK Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsProvides architectural design services for residential and commercial building projects, including measured surveys, concept and planning drawings, planning applications, 3D visualisations, building…
Serves private homeowners and local businesses planning residential or premises projects, including extensions, new builds and conversions, mainly in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Surrey and surrounding…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Growing · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
BI DESIGN ARCHITECTURE LIMITED
Trajectory
3y · 2023–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsProvides architectural design services for residential and commercial building projects, including new builds, refurbishments and conversions. Works with homeowners, developers and businesses on…
Serves homeowners, property developers and businesses seeking residential and commercial architecture services, with clients locally and nationally from the Midlands.
Financial Health
WeakWeak · -7% CAGR over 2y
Location
Tuk Rural Ltd
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · -63% CAGR over 4y
Location
Provides engineering and architectural consultancy services including civil and structural engineering, architecture, project management, building surveying, geotechnical and environmental…
Serves B2B and public sector clients delivering built-environment projects, including airports, NHS trusts, education providers, manufacturers, energy, food processing, leisure, military, ports, rail…
Location
PUSH PROJECT MANAGEMENT LTD
Trajectory
3y · 2023–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
THE NEXT SKETCH LTD
Trajectory
3y · 2023–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
SURVEY PARTNERS LTD
Trajectory
4y · 2020–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 4 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong · Hiring · 26% CAGR over 3y
Location
Provides engineering, architecture and project management services for construction and infrastructure projects. Offers civil and structural engineering, building surveying, interior design,…
Serves public and private sector clients commissioning built-environment projects, including airports, NHS and healthcare bodies, education providers, manufacturers, food and brewing firms, energy,…
Location
Trajectory
3y · 2022–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak · 0% CAGR over 2y
Location
AK Innovative Design Solution Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2020–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsProvides architectural design and consultancy services for residential, commercial, healthcare and education projects. Produces building designs, planning applications and project concepts, and…
Serves a mix of B2C and B2B clients across the UK, including homeowners, property developers, commercial operators, healthcare providers and education organisations involved in residential and larger…
Financial Health
HealthyHealthy · Hiring · 32% CAGR over 4y
Location
Lowe Architects Ltd
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
H M Chambers And Partners Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Richard Hall Architectural Surveyor Ltd
Trajectory
5y · 2020–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StrongStrong · Growing · 0% CAGR over 5y
Location
FD Design & Build Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Elevation Group Ltd
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy
Location
Ak Innovative Design Consultants Limited
Trajectory
3y · 2023–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
WeakWeak
Location
Barlow Property Consultancy Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Jba-design Ltd
Trajectory
3y · 2024–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 3 filingsFinancial Health
HealthyHealthy
Location
Oldroyd Associates Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
StableStable · 0% CAGR over 4y
Location
Fred Davidson Limited
Trajectory
5y · 2021–NowFinancial sub-scores
Computed from 5 filingsFinancial Health
DistressedDistressed
Location
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How Derby Architecture companies work and how to sell to them
What they do
Derby architecture practices earn most of their income through project-based professional fees rather than recurring subscriptions. Fee structures typically combine fixed-price stages, hourly advice for early feasibility work, and percentage-of-construction-cost pricing where the scope is still moving. Revenue may also come from planning statements, building-regulation packages, tender coordination, contract administration and retained advice for estates teams with repeat work. The service is labour-intensive: drawings, specifications, consultant coordination and client management are the product, supported by design software and document control rather than physical stock. Margins therefore depend on utilisation, scope discipline and avoiding unpaid redesign when planning, budget or contractor constraints change.
Who they sell to
Most practices sell to owners and project sponsors who already have a site, an asset problem or a development brief. Residential clients may buy directly, while commercial, education and public-sector buyers usually involve an estates manager, project manager, quantity surveyor, finance director or board-level sponsor before appointment. Small jobs often start through referrals, planning conversations or contractor introductions; larger mandates tend to involve fee proposals, framework routes, consultant interviews and public procurement rules. Typical cycles are short for feasibility advice, longer where land assembly, funding, planning risk or stakeholder approval sits ahead of design work.
What they buy
Architecture firms tend to buy tools and services that protect billable time and reduce project risk. Common spend categories include accounting, payroll, time recording, project costing, proposal management, CRM, document management, e-signature, secure file sharing, CAD and building information modelling support, plus cyber security where drawings and client documents move between consultants. They also buy professional indemnity insurance, legal advice, HR support, recruitment, bid-writing help, photography, local marketing, website maintenance and continuing professional development. Cloud hosting, backup, hardware, print management and office connectivity still matter because many practices run design files, planning packs and consultant mark-ups across small teams with limited internal IT cover.
Why and how to sell to them
Buying intent often appears when a practice wins a larger scheme than usual, joins a framework, hires technicians, changes directors, renews professional indemnity cover or starts bidding outside its referral base. Pain points are familiar: fee pressure, scope creep, planning delays, late consultant information, cash collection and the need to evidence competence under title-protection and building-safety expectations. Outbound messages tend to land better when they connect to a live operating problem rather than generic growth. Useful angles include reducing non-billable administration, improving project visibility, recovering time on variations, tightening bid qualification, or helping small teams meet client assurance requirements without adding another internal role.
How this list is built
Data sources
This list is built from UK Companies House filings, XBRL accounts data, and semantic analysis of each company's public website. Revenue and headcount figures come from the most recent filed accounts; where the company has not filed, values are estimated using a model trained on filed history and peer benchmarks and are labelled as estimates.
Classification
Rather than relying solely on SIC codes, Firmbase classifies each company semantically: the company's website is crawled, an AI model reads what the company actually sells, and the company is placed into the relevant industry and subsectors. SIC codes are used as one signal but not the only one. This means a company that registered under a generic SIC code but pivoted into (for example) fintech is correctly identified as fintech, not as its original SIC category.
Freshness
The underlying company data is refreshed from Companies House continuously; filings appear in the list within days of submission. The curated list ordering is regenerated when the underlying data moves meaningfully (company count changes by more than 5%, a new company enters the top-ranked segment, or the filed-revenue numbers for the top firms change). You can see the last-updated timestamp near the top of the page.
Also in Derby
Related directories
Frequently asked questions
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