Join us for the launch of Article 25 NextGen, an exciting new event series within our More Than a Building network, created to inspire and connect rising professionals aged 25 to 35 in the built environment. Rolton are delighted to support the launch of the Article 25 NextGen and are the co-sponsor of this event.
Taking place on 24 March at Wedlake Bell LLP, the evening will feature a presentation on the future of specialist education design through the award-winning College Amadou Hampaté Bâ project in Niger. There will also be an expert panel with Jack Pringle (Co-founder of Article 25), Lidia Guerra (Senior Engineer & Partner, Max Fordham), Toby Pear (Senior Architect, Article 25), and Peter Rolton (Chairman, Rolton). See their speaker bios below.
Attendees will take part in interactive breakout sessions and enjoy networking over drinks and food. Don’t miss this chance to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and help shape a more sustainable future.
If you are already a More Than a Building member, please RSVP to harry-wallis@article-25.org. If you’re interested in becoming a member, contact gemma-holding@article-25.org to learn more.
Panel speaker bios
Toby Pear
Toby is a Senior Architect at Article 25. With a strong background in sustainable design and development, Toby honed his skills working with Indian NGO SEEDS in post-disaster reconstruction in the Indian Himalayas, and later with Jestico + Whiles in the UK.
Since 2017 he has led on a series of projects for Article 25 across Africa and Asia, including the project with Collège Amadou Hampaté Bâ in Niger. Toby has a deep interest in natural, sustainable building materials, and in the adaptation of vernacular technologies to meet the challenges of construction in a rapidly changing world.
Lidia Guerra
Joining Max Fordham in 2015, Lidia is a highly experienced chartered Senior Engineer, with a background in architecture and acoustics as well as engineering, with a particular focus on cultural and educational buildings (both new-builds and retrofits), and a specialism in Wellbeing consultancy.
She brings her in-depth knowledge of architectural, structural and environmental design to all her projects, working passionately with the design team and client to provide a coordinated, curated design. Alongside engineering, Lidia also provides Wellbeing consultancy, including helping clients and projects achieve WELL and Fitwell certification. Her interdisciplinary approach allows her to understand and achieve the architectural aspirations of a project, while finding engineering and environmental solutions that enhance both the building's overall sustainability and the wellbeing of its occupants.
Lidia has delivered several of Max Fordham's landmark projects, including the new Library and Archive for Lambeth Palace, the RIBA Stirling Prize -shortlisted House for Artists community housing in Barking, and the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Alexandra Palace. She enjoys training others within the practice and externally, and, as the leader of Max Fordham’s International Outreach Group, she also delivers pro bono engineering consultancy to health and education projects such as the recently-completed Collège Amadou Hampaté Bâ in Niger.
Jack Pringle
Jack co-founded Article 25 (formally Architects for Aid) in his office in October 2005. Jack chaired the charity from 2005 to 2014, and remains an active trustee and donor, and chairs the fundraising committee. During this time, Article 25, now in offices in the Canary Wharf tower, has worked in 35 countries carrying out over 100 projects. Article 25 is now the most productive and successful charity of its type in the UK and is of world-class ranking.
Jack is an architect who studied at Bristol University where he won the professor’s prize. At the age of 29, Jack started his own practice which became Pringle Brandon, Pringle Brandon Consulting and Pringle Brandon Drew, with offices in London and Dubai. In 2021, Jack set up Studio Pringle with his two eldest daughters. Jack’s clients have included major banks, magic circle lawyers and global tech companies.
At 28, Jack was elected to the RIBA Council and elected a vice president. In 2005-2007, Jack served as RIBA president and in 2021 was elected to the new role of RIBA chair of trustees, which he will hold until late 2026. In 2012, Jack was elected to chair the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for two years and is an honorary affiliate of CIC.
The French Government appointed Jack to the rank of Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres for his work in international architectural education.
Peter Rolton
Peter founded his first business, Rolton Services Consultants Limited, in 1989, and in 2006 Peter co-founded Cool Planet Technologies, a specialist ground source heat pump company, which was sold to British Gas in 2010. Peter has advised Government at ministerial level, advising three ministers and one secretary of state on climate change and energy policy.
Graduating from the University of Northumbria in 1985 with a BSc in Building Services Engineering, Peter is a Chartered Building Services Engineer, Chartered European Engineer, and an acknowledged specialist in providing high level strategic advice to a range of governmental, public sector and some of the world’s largest, most successful blue chip multinational corporations.
His motivation for driving growth within the sector is powered by his passion for uplifting the next generation. Peter is a mentor to colleagues as he encourages young professionals into networking opportunities, client relationship building and knowledge transfer from his valuable insights and lessons learnt over decades. His commitment goes beyond this with Rolton’s Scholarship programme at Northumbria University to promote more women into engineering.
Sarah Elliott
Sarah is a construction specialist advising on a wide range of projects from inception to completion. Since 2019, she has led the highly active construction team at Wedlake Bell and acts principally across the living, hotels, offices and life science sectors. She is ranked within both Chambers and Legal 500 for her non-contentious construction expertise.
Sarah is a member of the Lexis PSL Construction Consulting Editorial Board and the Society of Construction Law. Sarah also sits on the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) drafting sub-committee, which plays a key role in the drafting of the JCT suites of contracts (most recently the 2024 edition). Sarah works with Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry, and collaborates on creating industry guidance for Build UK members on a number of key issues including the Building Safety Act (BSA).
Sarah has a degree in mathematics from Imperial College London. She attended the College of Law, London to obtain her legal qualifications and then qualified as a solicitor in 2002 having trained at Wedlake Bell and became a partner in 2012.
College Amadou Hampaté Bâ, Niger case study for discussion.