Nicholas Grimshaw has announced he is handing over the reins of the practice he founded 40 years ago.

Andrew Whalley will become chairman of the practice he has helped Grimshaw lead for 33 years.

Grimshaw, who is approaching his 80th birthday, is the first of his generation of “big hitters” to announce his succession.

Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Michael Hopkins and Terry Farrell have yet to step aside from the practices they founded, despite all being in their 80s.

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