Member Article

David Cross steps down as chairman of CODA Studios

TWO years after a management buyout at award-winning Sheffield multidisciplinary practice CODA Studios, founding partner David Cross has stepped down from his role as chairman.

The company, which is based in Sheffield’s Kelham Island and Manchester and is made up of CODA Architecture and CODA Bespoke, underwent the buyout in 2020.

Managing Director Matt Bowker and Board Directors Abel Hinchliffe and Jamie Hanson took over the firm after acquiring remaining shares from David, who now relinquishes his role as chairman.

“Part of the buyout plan was that David would stay on as our chairman for a further two years and that period has now come to an end,” said Matt.

“Without David there would have been no CODA and the strength of our relationship moving forward is reflected in the fact that his commitment to our team remains as strong as ever.

“We will continue to work closely with David on his many new projects, including Sky-House Co, which goes from strength to strength and which we are very proud to be a part of.

“Having emerged from the pandemic, CODA Architecture continues to grow and we are currently working on many new and exciting projects throughout the region and nationally.

“The properties being developed by our CODA Bespoke team, headed by director Abel Hinchliffe, take residential development in exciting new directions.

“And our Manchester office, under director Jamie Hanson, is developing the CODA brand in the north west.

“As a result, we firmly believe that the years ahead will see even more expansion as we work on a raft of new projects.”

As founder and director of Sky-House Co, David is now focusing on the Sky-House brand at the Waverley site between Sheffield and Rotherham, in Oughtibridge and Stocksbridge and in Sheffield city centre.

The Sky-House concept was initially inspired by the back-to-back housing model created by the CODA team.

“It was a difficult decision for me to finally break my ties with CODA Studios but it had always been the plan for me to stay as chairman for only two years after the buyout and with so much now happening for Sky-House, this is definitely the right time to step down,” said David.

“With CODA working so closely on the development and expansion of the Sky-House brand, the two companies will be continue to work side by side and support each other.

“I have been delighted at the way Matt, Abel and Jamie have developed CODA in the past two years and I know that the company I helped to create is strong and ready for future growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .