Practice Structure Update
The Inkpen Downie team
Honouring a Legacy, Building the Future
We are pleased to share an important update on the continued development of Inkpen Downie Architects and our ongoing commitment to serving our clients across our core sectors, including heritage, community, commercial and residential projects.
Founding Director, Ben Downie, will be retiring from day-to-day practice at the end of July 2026 following a long and distinguished career, over 40 years, dedicated to the built environment and the care and conservation of buildings across Essex and beyond. His contribution to the profession, colleagues past and present and to the many projects, clients and communities he has supported - has been significant and is deeply appreciated.
While Ben will no longer be present in the office, he will remain closely connected with the practice in a consultancy capacity. In this role, he will continue to provide specialist advice and support, ensuring continuity of knowledge, experience and approach across our work.
This transition forms part of a long-established and carefully managed succession plan. Julia Cameron joined the practice in 2018. Since becoming a Company Director in 2019, Julia has worked closely alongside Ben, progressively taking the lead across a broad range of projects, including our historic building work. This has enabled a considered and effective transfer of responsibility to Julia, as Managing Director, ensuring that the practice continues to uphold the highest standards of care, expertise and professionalism across all sectors.
As part of this planned transition, Julia Cameron has achieved accreditation as an Architect Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) and has been accepted onto the Chelmsford Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) List of Inspectors for listed churches. She also contributes her time as a Conservation Architect member to Brentwood Historic Churches Committee. This accreditation and appointments reinforce the practice’s recognised expertise in conservation, and ecclesiastic work, while complementing our wider work in community, commercial and residential architecture.
We are also delighted to announce the promotion of Barney Broomfield to Associate Architect. Since joining the practice in 2022, Barney has made a significant contribution to the development of the practice and brings valuable experience and dedication, further strengthening our management team as we continue to deliver projects across a diverse portfolio. Amongst residential projects and barn conversions, Barney is also taking care of a new development of eleven Almshouses for Winsley’s Charity in Colchester. He has also started on the delivery stage of a new Wellbeing Building for Headway Essex, supporting brain trauma injury therapy.
Special thanks to our studio manager Ashley McGilway who has been key to supporting day to day business, client care and supporting Julia and Ben through the transition.
Level 6 Apprentice Jacob with his Best Student Award
Celebrating Degree Apprenticeships and looking ahead
The past year has been our first step into the degree apprenticeship world. Jacob van de Vyver joined us in July 2025 working four days in the office and one day at London South Bank University. We can report that it has been a positive experience for everyone, with Jacob excelling throughout the term, finishing his first year with the Best Student Award in hand. Jacob has quickly become a key member of the Inkpen Downie Team. Building on this success, we plan to welcome another degree apprentice in the Autumn 2026.
Together, these developments and skills ensure that our team at Inkpen Downie Architects remains well positioned to provide consistent, high-quality professional services across Residential, Commercial, Community and Heritage. We remain fully committed to supporting all our clients with continuity, experience and a collaborative approach - now and into the future