Russell Geary has been appointed as our new Associate, Emergency Services Lead, strengthening the practice’s expertise in the design of sensitive, high-security public-sector environments while supporting the continued growth of our newly established Birmingham studio.
Creating secure, resilient and people-centred environments that place safety, dignity and wellbeing at the heart of design.
Russell brings more than a decade of specialist experience in classified public-sector projects, developing and delivering innovative and award-winning Bluelight schemes for police forces throughout England and Wales. His appointment reinforces our commitment to creating secure, resilient and people-centred environments that place safety, dignity and wellbeing at the heart of design.
Based in our growing Birmingham studio, Russell will play a key role in expanding the practice’s emergency services offer while collaborating with colleagues across its national network. His expertise will not only strengthen HLM’s local presence across the Midlands but also enhance the practice’s capability in delivering complex, high-security and classified public-sector projects throughout the UK.
Russell is an Architect who joined the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in 2011 and has spent the past 10 years specialising in innovative and award-winning Bluelight projects for police forces across England and Wales. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for designing trauma-informed, secure environments that promote the safety, dignity, welfare and wellbeing of both staff and detainees.
I’ve admired HLM for over a decade, recognising the practice as a leader in the public sector and a fantastic place to work. With a young family, relocating across the country wasn’t realistic, so the opening of the Birmingham studio presented an opportunity I was genuinely excited to pursue.
HLM has one of the UK’s only truly dedicated Bluelight technical teams, offering the chance to work alongside specialists who understand the unique challenges of this sector. I’m equally excited to collaborate with colleagues across healthcare, education, defence and justice, sharing knowledge to advance trauma-informed, neuroinclusive design and modern methods of construction for the benefit of the communities these facilities serve. I’m passionate about creating environments that prioritise staff and detainee safety, dignity, welfare and wellbeing through trauma-informed design and I know the team at HLM share this passion.
Russell Geary Emergency Services Lead
We’re delighted to welcome Russell to HLM at such an exciting time for both our Justice and Emergency Services team and our growing Birmingham studio. Russell brings an exceptional depth of knowledge in the design and delivery of police and custodial architecture. His experience will further strengthen our specialist Emergency Services offering, bringing valuable insight that will benefit clients and project teams. Russell’s passion for trauma-informed design, staff and detainee wellbeing, and creating secure environments that support positive outcomes aligns perfectly with our own approach.
Steven Lennon Head of Justice and Emergency Services
Strengthening our local capability, reinforcing our national Emergency Services expertise
As we continue to invest in Birmingham and expand our presence across the Midlands, Russell’s appointment not only strengthens our local capability but also reinforces the national expertise HLM has to offer. We’re excited to see the impact he’ll have as we continue to deliver future-focused environments for the emergency services and the communities they serve.
