Lee Bradley appointed as Managing Director for Darling Associates North

Lee Bradley, Regional Managing Director – Darling Associates North

Lee Bradley has been appointed regional Managing Director of Darling Associates North, the Manchester studio of award-winning architecture practice Darling Associates.

With over 19 years’ experience designing projects in the hotel and hospitality, Lee Bradley will be furthering his efforts to lead on the principles of quality, attention to detail and first-rate design attributes that contributed to the continued success of Darling Associates.

Lee graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a First-Class Honours degree and the top art prize for his year, staying on at MMU lecture part time. He began working for Darling Associates (formerly Architect CT) as an interior designer in 2001 and has played a significant role in the business’s sustained success. In 2007, Lee was promoted to Head of Design and after 10 years was appointed a Director, where he ran several teams of skilled professionals over a variety of projects across the UK.

Lee has specialised within leisure industry design including hotels, spas and food and beverage developments from conception to delivery. He has worked on various listed buildings throughout the UK. Key projects have included: the 5* award-winning country spa and leisure hotel Ellenborough Park; Cumbria tourist award-winning Belsfield Hotel at Bowness-on-Windermere, and many logistically challenging airport and Network Rail projects.

Under Lee’s direction, Darling Associates’ hospitality design work has led to notable awards including the International Food and Beverage (FAB) Awards for the Windmill at Stansted Airport (Best Restaurant – Transport Space), and The Red Lion at Gatwick (Best World Airport Bar). The practice has also received nominations for the Northern Design Awards and the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.

Grasslands development, Chester Zoo by Darling Associates North

“Lee was integrally involved in the merger of Architect CT with Darling Associates and embodies a wealth of experience and expertise across the leisure industry,” said Chris Darling, Managing Director, Darling Associates. “He is a vital key to our growing success in the north of England and we are delighted at his appointment in this new role.”

“I’m thrilled to have been appointed Managing Director of Darling Associates North,” said Lee Bradley. “I look forward to continuing my work with the design team here in Manchester, and will continue to expand the presence and creative output of Darling Associates North, delivering beautiful design across the UK.”

Upcoming projects for Darling Associates in the north of England include Grasslands, the new Chester Zoo Restaurant and Hotel, the expansion of Mottram Hall Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, and Salford Riverside, a 500-unit Build-To-Rent residential scheme in Salford.