Meet the Team

Anna joined as Director in 2018. She is a visionary CEO known for driving step-changes in organisations and previous directorships include Pride Festival & In Between Time.

Anna combines a scientific mind (PhD Biochemistry) with the creativity of a cultural leader; her unique approach ensures organisations flourish.

Anna is driven by excellence & creating positive social change, & thrives on collaboration & building innovative cross-sector partnerships. She develops impactful programmes that inspire – transformative examples include founding the current Bristol Pride (2010), Fog Bridge for Bristol Green Capital (2015), Night Songs with the National Trust (2015), The Tale (2017), Bristol Open Doors (2018-21). Outside of Design West, Anna leads Indigo Network (the largest LBTQ+ network in the UK) and Bristol Folk Festival.

Pippa programmes our monthly public talks & manages the Design Review Service for Bristol, B&NES & North Somerset.

Pippa is passionate about shaping better places for people. She originally graduated in Civil Engineering with Architecture & enjoys working alongside architects & other built environment professionals creating exhibitions & events which illuminate the work that they do.

With a background in urbanism & an MSc in Urban Planning, Pippa is interested in bringing forward best practice in planning & urban design through harnessing professional design skills & combining them with innovative community engagement. She is a member of the Academy of Urbanism & previously served as a Town Councillor & Mayor of the award-winning Frome Town Council.

Favourite building: The awe-inspiring interior of the Pantheon in Rome (concrete can last for ever!) but also the beautiful domestic design of my grandparents’ house 2 Willow Road.

Julie Tanner BSc, DipTP MRTPI manages the Design Review Service for the South West & is based near Exeter.

Julie is a chartered Town Planner with a background in economic development. She combines a passion for architecture & urban design with a specialism in placemaking, & believes a design-led method will support better quality places through the planning system. Julie is an active RTPI Regional Activities Board Member for the South West & is a member of the High Street Task Force.

Julie specialises in working with large-scale new communities, infrastructure & public realm projects as well as individual buildings of strategic importance & aims to support efforts to ensure planners can be braver & bolder in shaping future places.

Shankari Raj, known widely as ‘Shanks’, manages our Education Programme & leads on Shape My City, our diverse talent accelerator programme for 15-18 year olds from across the South West.

Shanks was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in Nigeria, Oman, Toronto & London before settling in Bristol & setting up her own architecture practice Nudge. Shanks is passionate about inclusion & collaboration. Her approach challenges traditional architecture practice, instead investing energy in community-led & sustainable design processes.

Shanks is a visiting lecturer & external examiner at Architecture schools across the country: Cardiff, Newcastle, Sheffield & Bath University. She has been an ongoing judge for the Architects’ Journal & WAN awards & is regularly invited to speak at lectures & panels including the Design Council & Glass House.

Jon Trace is our Digital Designer and Content Creator.

Before joining the Design West team, Jon worked with clients including BBC 6 Music, Neighbourly, UWE, Reuse Network and the Forestry Commission. He enjoys the fresh perspective and inspiration that working across sectors brings, along with opportunities to try new approaches, develop creative ideas and learn new skills.

Mariana joined Design West in 2023 and manages the Design Review Service for Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

She grew up in Madeira, Portugal, and in 2009 she moved to the UK to study Architecture. She first volunteered at Design West (then The Architecture Centre) in 2017, while working for a small architecture firm in Bristol. In her previous roles, she developed residential schemes in Bristol and London. She is passionate about placemaking, good design and sustainability, and loves mid-century and brutalist architecture.

Mariana also enjoys discovering new places to eat in Bristol (the food scene is amazing!), and wandering around the countryside.

Jo has been working with Design West since 2022, supporting Design Review across Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter and Dorset.

A Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) with over 20 years’ experience across local government, consultancy, and third sector, Jo is skilled at leading place-based engagement, shaping strategic planning policy, and raising design standards. She is deeply committed to peer-led learning, capacity building, and supporting local authorities to innovate and deliver resilient, inclusive places.

Olga is our Finance Administrator and she joined Design West in June 2024.

Olga was born in Ukraine and lived there for most of her life. She moved to Bristol in 2022. Olga is a part qualified UK ACCA accountant with vast experience in finance, tax and analytical roles. She has over 15 years experience in working for international companies such as Philip Morris, Flex and Jabil.

Olga is enjoying living and exploring the vibrant, friendly and multicultural city of Bristol, with its creative artwork and many historic buildings.

Malcolm joined Design West in July 2024 and manages the on-site cafe bar, The Architect. He is also responsible for venue set-up and catering.

With years of experience in managing hospitality venues and a broad knowledge of the sector from working across small, independent sites and large companies within the industry; Malcolm has a passion for business growth and is taking The Architect from strength to strength.

He is enthusiastic about curating a positive work environment for his team, who can be found making coffee and cocktails in The Architect and catering to all event needs in our venue space.