News

Turley appoints first Placemaking Lead

We have appointed Stephen Taylor to the newly created role of Placemaking Lead as we accelerate growth in this key strategic area.

Stephen, who has led our national urban design team since 2016, brings over two decades of experience in masterplanning and design leadership. He has been instrumental in growing multi-disciplinary teams across Reading, Manchester, London and Bristol, and has led nationally significant projects for new settlements, university campuses, complex regeneration schemes and port redevelopments.

His appointment marks a step forward in enhancing our placemaking offer - integrating our expertise across Design, Landscape, Planning, ESG, Strategic Communications and Economic consultancy to shape places that are environmentally resilient, socially inclusive and commercially successful.

Stephen’s recent project highlights include Cuerdale Garden Village, Telford Station Quarter, Gomm Valley, and masterplanning work for Aberdeen Harbour and Aston University.

Stephen also recently completed a secondment to the Office for Place, where he helped shape national best practice for the preparation of design codes to ensure engagement with the property and development industry. He will now spearhead cross-service placemaking teams across our 15 UK and Ireland offices.

He will be taking this applied knowledge of placemaking to assemble and lead multi-service teams across the UK and Ireland.

On his appointment, Stephen commented:

“I’m delighted to lead Turley’s placemaking offer at such an important moment for the sector. There is growing recognition that successful places emerge from collaboration – not just between disciplines, but with the communities they serve. Our integrated services and purpose-led culture give us the ability to deliver well designed places that work for people, planet and long-term prosperity.

“We’re aiming to make co-design and community engagement a ‘business-as-usual’ approach—supported by strategic advisory, ESG, and net zero infrastructure expertise that few other consultancies can bring together under one roof.”

“The opportunity now is to move from good design to great placemaking– resulting in better outcomes and places which people really connect with.”

The appointment reflects our continued investment in placemaking.

Stephen Bell, Chief Executive, said: 

“Stephen’s appointment as our first Placemaking Lead signals our ambition to shape the next generation of places with purpose. His depth of design expertise and collaborative leadership will help us deliver more holistic, resilient, and inspiring places across the UK and Ireland.”

We remain proudly independent and employee-owned, operating from 15 offices across the UK and Ireland.

16 June 2025