A Moment of Thanks and Looking Ahead

As Holmes Miller celebrates its 75th Anniversary, we mark an important milestone in the evolution of the practice and take the opportunity to thank three long‑standing Directors and owners, Robert Kennedy, Alasdair MacLean and Sandy McMillan, who will be retiring from the business during this anniversary year.

Across many decades, Robert, Alasdair and Sandy have each made an exceptional contribution to Holmes Miller. Through their leadership, professionalism and commitment to design quality, they have helped shape the practice’s reputation for delivering thoughtful, robust and enduring architecture across Scotland and beyond. Their influence is embedded not only in the projects we have delivered, but in the culture, values and people that define Holmes Miller today.

Robert Kennedy
Over more than three decades, Robert has been instrumental in the design and delivery of some of the most significant sports stadia and arenas in the UK. To name a few his portfolio includes Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light, Murrayfield Stadium, home of Scottish Rugby, the Britannia Stadium for Stoke City FC, King Power Stadium for Leicester City FC, Coventry Building Society Arena, home of Coventry FC, EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, India and the Aegas Bowl for Hampshire County Cricket Club.  These projects and his lead role in the External Technical Reviews of the Velodrome and Handball Arenas in the 2012 London Olympics have helped define Holmes Miller’s reputation for excellence in large‑scale, complex sports and event architecture

Alasdair MacLean
Alasdair played a pivotal role in modernising Holmes Miller during a period of significant change in the profession. In the late 1980s, he was an early advocate for the introduction of computers and CAD production, helping to transform the way the practice designed and delivered its work and positioning the business at the forefront of emerging digital approaches. Alongside this, he was a steadfast champion of quality, safety and best practice, quietly but consistently strengthening the systems that underpin the practice today. He also led the delivery of the practice’s first £1 million project, the Royal Mail Sorting Office in Edinburgh, a landmark commission that marked a step change in both scale and ambition for the firm.

Sandy McMillan
Sandy was instrumental in the growth of Holmes Miller from the late 1990s, helping to expand the practice during a period of sustained opportunity and change. Much of this growth was driven through the successful delivery of a wide‑ranging programme of education projects across Scotland, strengthening long‑standing relationships with public sector clients and establishing a robust platform for the practice’s future development. His contribution during this formative period has had a lasting impact on the scale, stability and reach of the business.

The Practice will also be wishing a fond farewell to Gareth Yule, who will fully retire from Holmes Miller in 2026, following an initial transition to part‑time retirement in 2022. Gareth brought exceptional technical expertise to the practice, particularly within the sports sector, where he worked on multiple projects for Celtic Football Club, the replacement Windsor Park for the Irish Football Association, and the conversion of Hampden Park for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, alongside numerous other major stadia, arena and leisure developments. Equally significant has been the mentoring, guidance and quiet wisdom he shared with younger colleagues. His contribution will be greatly missed, both professionally and personally

On behalf of the Directors and the wider practice, we extend our sincere thanks to Robert, Alasdair, Sandy and Gareth for their dedication, integrity and stewardship of the business. We wish them every success and fulfilment in the next chapter ahead.

Looking forward, Holmes Miller enters its next phase from a position of strength. The practice continues under an established and experienced senior management team, with clear succession planning and continuity for our clients, collaborators and partners. Our focus remains firmly on design excellence, technical rigour, sustainability and the long‑term relationships that underpin our work.

As part of our ongoing growth strategy, we are pleased to confirm the appointment of a new studio lead for our office in Leeds, expanding our presence across the UK and strengthening our ability to support clients nationally. This investment reflects both our confidence in the future and our commitment to providing the same high standard of service wherever we work.

As we celebrate 75 years of Holmes Miller, we do so with pride in our history, gratitude to those who have shaped the practice, and optimism for what lies ahead.

Callum Houston – Managing Director