Architect says Brexit uncertainty stalling projects

RSHP Leadenhall Building

Richard Rogers has confirmed that his practice has now axed around 10% of its staff, with the architect laying part of the blame on Brexit.

He spoke of his sadness and said it was only the second time the firm had laid off employees in such numbers.

Richard Rogers

Richard Rogers

In July Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners announced it had begun redundancy consultations with a number of staff because of economic uncertainty.

This week Rogers told BD his practice, based in its Cheesegrater tower, has now laid off 15 staff.

He said: “It’s tremendously sad. I think we’d only done this once before.”

He said ongoing uncertainty over Brexit had meant some projects they were eyeing had now been mothballed.

“Brexit doesn’t help, that’s for sure,” he added. “We have quite a lot of international work but Brexit is bad news in my opinion.”

In its last set of accounts filed at Companies House, RSHP said pre-tax profit went up 10% to £7.6m in the year to June 2017. Turnover during the period edged up £600,000 to £32.8m.