Donald Insall buys York-based Ferrey & Mennim

Both architectural firms have a focus on conservation and heritage architecture, including repair and alteration of historical buildings.

Ferrey’s three-person team has joined Donald Insall’s York studio as part of a succession plan for the 102-year-old company, which is known for its conservation, residential, and ecclesiastical projects such as St Magnus Cathedral and Hull Minster.

Dorian Proudfoot, director and York studio lead at Donald Insall, said: “We were very impressed with the breadth, quality and volume of work that Ferrey & Mennim is undertaking, and we are confident that our new colleagues have much in common with us – providing a high standard of care in managing change within the historic environment.”

Andrew Boyce, director, Ferrey & Mennim, said: “The merger will ultimately enable us to provide greater resources for each project, including a diverse range of additional skills in heritage, planning and technical design.”

Camellia House at Wentworth House, where Donald Insall gave 19 trainee craftspeople on site experience. Credit: Adrian Lambert

Donald Insall has also become a Certified B Corporation™, achieving the CSR accreditation with a score of 87 across the five key pillars of governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

The company’s work on regenerating buildings and developing craft skills was a contributing factor, including facilitating on-site training for 19 apprentice craftspeople at the Camellia House, part of the Wentworth Woodhouse estate in Rotherham. 

More than 2,000 companies in the UK have earned the accreditation.