An historic Liverpool-based architecture firm has been bought out by two of its existing team members - and announced its appointment to a £100m Bristol project.
KKA has been acquired by architects Kasia Borkowska and Chris Long, who have both been with the firm for more than ten years. Each has each acquired 50% of the company's shareholdings.
KKA, which launched in Liverpool 70 years ago, works around the UK in sectors including sport, retail, hotels and student accommodation.
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The change in ownership is in accordance with the firm's succession plan, and comes as a result of KKA's previous directors taking retirement and pursuing other interests.
The practice has just been appointed to work on the Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter, a Bristol development valued at over £100m that is focused around a 4,000 capacity sports and convention centre and a 230-bed hotel.
Amongst KKA's high-profile projects is the Robins High Performance Centre - a state-of-the-art training centre for Bristol City FC that officially opened last week, and a Hilton Garden Inn hotel overlooking the finish line at Silverstone racing circuit.
KKA's work in Liverpool includes the LFC Flagship Megastore at Anfield and the new multi-story car park and energy centre within Paddington Village in the city’s Knowledge Quarter, which is set to complete this summer.
Ms Borkowska said: "We are hugely honoured to have taken the opportunity to steer the firm to further success, with an exceptionally talented and creative team behind us.
"We look forward to further cementing our reputation as a highly collaborative practice that isn't afraid to challenge the status quo."
The pair have been closely involved with many of the firm's major projects and said they will continue to play hands-on roles as directors.
Ms Borkowska has been with KKA for 15 years and joined the firm as an architectural assistant after graduating from university in Poland.
Mr Long, who is from Southport, joined the firm after finishing his studies at Northumbria University and Liverpool John Moores University. He has been with KKA since 2007.
He said: “KKA has a proud heritage of exporting Liverpool architectural expertise to the rest of the country, while simultaneously delivering many historic projects across the city. Kasia and I are both very proud to lead the company in the latest stage of its history.
"Just as we gained invaluable experience from our predecessors, we’re committed to nurturing the exceptional talent we have at the practice, ensuring the next chapter for KKA is its most exciting yet.”
KKA is based at the Highpoint building - in the centre of Liverpool's commercial district.
