ARCHITECTURAL, planning and building surveying practice Cassidy + Ashton has appointed two architectural technologists and a planning assistant to strengthen its Chester office.

Aimi Barnes joins the practice as senior architectural technologist from Chester-based Lovelock Mitchell Architects. She has an honours degree in Architectural Design Technology Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Aimi will be working alongside architectural technologist Anthony McCormick, who joins Cassidy + Ashton after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with a first-class degree in Architectural Technology.

They will support the architectural and design team based in Cassidy + Ashton’s Chester office.

Olivia Forde has also joined Cassidy + Ashton after graduating with a first-class degree in MPlan Town and Regional Planning from the University of Liverpool. She will work across the practice’s planning teams in its Chester and Preston offices.

Guy Evans, director, Cassidy + Ashton, said: “While the past 12 months have been challenging for the construction industry, we are experiencing a strong level of new enquiries and committed projects across a variety of sectors.

“We are looking forward with confidence and investing in growing our team at Chester, combining professionals with a wealth of experience with those embarking on their careers in the industry. Aimi, Anthony and Olivia are hugely talented and have settled into the team very well.”

Cassidy + Ashton’s Chester team, located at Hunters Walk in the city, includes specialists across disciplines in architecture, planning and building surveying. The appointment of Aimi, Anthony and Olivia, brings the team to 13.

The Chester team has recently worked on a number of high profile built environment projects for clients such as Chester Zoo, Halton Borough Council, University of Liverpool, Airbus and Anwyl Partnerships.

Guy added: “In conjunction with the recent appointment of Dan Thorpe, as our new head of architecture at Chester, we are well placed to build upon our enviable reputation in North Wales and the North West, providing an A+ service to current and new clients.”