but later moved the main office to Birmingham in 1992. The practice now employs 150 people in its studios and works across the UK and the Republic of Ireland in many sectors including masterplanning, residential, offices, education, retail, health, hotel and leisure. Howells' current role involves overseeing design of all projects, chairing the company's strategic board and giving direction to the practice in all three of its offices.

Early projects included the award-winning Custard Factory, an