Edward Architects rebrands following leadership transition
The Leeds and London-based practice has rebranded as Edward+Riley, as director Chris Riley becomes a joint shareholder alongside founder Graham Edward.
Founded in 2005, the RIBA-chartered practice works across residential, accessible design, strategic land, and masterplanning projects, and expects turnover to exceed £1m during its current financial year.
Riley joined the practice in 2008 as a graduate architect before becoming a director in 2017, where he has led the firm’s residential work.
Over the past two decades, the practice has expanded its portfolio across housing, masterplanning, accessible design, industrial, and mixed-use development, working with clients including Gleeson, Lovell, Vistry, The Church Commissioners and Keyland.
Among its recent projects is the Holbeck Viaduct regeneration initiative, which won the Best Future Urban Design Project category at the 2026 Pineapple Awards.
The rebrand reflects the firm’s updated ownership structure as it plans further growth. Its strategy includes increasing headcount over the next five years, promoting staff internally and expanding its geographic presence through a proposed North East office, with Manchester also under consideration.
The practice said it is also continuing to invest in digital systems and artificial intelligence to support its operations, while targeting opportunities across its core sectors and emerging markets including co-living and industrial development.
Graham Edward said: “We have always believed in training, mentoring and promoting people from within the practice.
“Chris becoming co-owner is the logical next step in that philosophy. He joined us as a student and has grown into a natural leader within the business; not only as a talented architect, but as someone who fully believes in our team culture, values and client relationships.
“This transition is about continuity. Clients know that the long-term relationships we’ve built over the last two decades remain in safe hands and equally our team can see there are genuine opportunities to progress and shape the future of the business.”
Chris Riley said: “It’s a proud achievement personally and professionally. Graham mentored me from the early stages of my career and I feel like I’ve grown alongside the company and played a significant role in its development.
“We both share the same vision for the business and that partnership has been one of the key drivers behind its growth.
“I’m excited about helping to shape the future of the practice, mentoring the next generation of architects and continuing to provide the same client-focused service that has built our reputation.
“Sustainability, legislation and technology are reshaping the profession.
“Clients increasingly need architects who can guide them through complexity and deliver both creative and technically robust solutions.
“We see that as a major opportunity. We’ve always distinguished ourselves by offering expertise across all RIBA work stages – from feasibility and planning through to technical delivery – and by combining strong conceptual thinking with deep technical knowledge.”
