Experienced chartered architect joins Cassidy + Ashton

By Tim Aldred

01 May 2024

Cassidy Ashton Darren Pickens With Lawrence McBurney

Architectural, planning and building surveying practice Cassidy + Ashton has appointed chartered architect Darren Pickens to its Preston office.

Darren previously worked at Campbell Driver Partnership in Blackburn, where he had an extensive professional career, leading to a senior role as practice director.

He has a wide range of experience spanning several sectors, including hospitality, leisure and commercial as well as working on large private housing projects. He also has a passion for heritage and conservation projects, recently leading the architectural work on the £9m refurbishment of Grade II listed Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere.

Darren’s appointment at Cassidy + Ashton comes at a busy time for the practice as it enjoys one of its most successful periods in its more than 60-year history.

In his role as senior chartered architect at Cassidy + Ashton, Darren will lead on projects throughout the design and technical stages collaborating closely with our design team as well as fostering strong client and contractor relationships. 

Lawrence McBurney, director at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We continue to grow as a practice and expand our client portfolio. We have had a very strong start to 2024, particularly building our portfolio in the higher education sector with a number of key projects for universities in the pipeline, along with the major refurbishment at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Grosvenor West building which is nearing completion.

“Our team is built around bringing people in at all skill levels from trainees through to graduates and qualified professionals. Attracting and securing senior people like Darren is an important part of the development of our whole team. Darren brings to Cassidy + Ashton valuable practice experience and a wealth of design and technical knowledge. He will be an integral part of the senior design team and has already made a great start.”

Darren qualified as an architect through the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) RIBA Studio which is administered by Oxford Brookes University. He received a distinction in design and the RIBA Student Prize in 2014.

He is a member of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and RIBA and listed on the RIBA’s Conservation Register and is seeking to further his conservation experience to become an accredited conservation architect.

Darren said: "While I feel I have a lot to offer given my practical experience, I am also a firm believer in continued progression and learning throughout my career. I see joining Cassidy + Ashton as both a new challenge and an opportunity to fulfil my potential within a collaborative, forward-thinking environment."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards University of Central Lancashire winners at Educate North Award Winners 2025

University of Central Lancashire celebrates hat-trick of wins at Educate North Awards

04 Apr 2025

2

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors The Villa Levens and The VillaWrea Green (Image credit: The Villa Levens and The Villa Wrea Green)

The Villa’s sister venue shuts its doors

04 Apr 2025

3

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs Manufacturing

PM urged not to retaliate over tariffs

03 Apr 2025

4

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

5

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin