Ben McKenna joins HNW
Ben McKenna joins HNW Architects to support strategic growth and regulatory leadership
HNW Architects is delighted to welcome Ben McKenna as Director, joining the practice at a pivotal moment of strategic growth.
Ben’s appointment builds on the strong work already underway across HNW’s studios and reinforces the practice’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant and confidently executed architecture in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Ben’s appointment builds on the strong work already underway across HNW’s studios and reinforces the practice’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant and confidently executed architecture in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
With extensive experience in residential and mixed-use development, retrofit and higher-risk buildings, Ben brings hands-on expertise rooted firmly in design and delivery. His background includes navigating Principal Designer responsibilities and securing Gateway 2 approvals, with a practical understanding of how to move projects forward safely, efficiently and with clarity.
As clients face heightened scrutiny, evolving compliance frameworks and greater delivery risk, Ben’s role will focus on strengthening leadership across the practice. He will support project teams, enhance Principal Designer competency and processes, and help connect expertise across studios to ensure a consistent and robust approach to the design and delivery of complex projects.
In addition to internal leadership, Ben will play an important role in developing new and existing client relationships, contributing to the continued growth of HNW’s London presence and broader market profile.
Ben describes himself as collaborative and people-focused, bringing a team-first mindset that aligns closely with HNW’s ethos. His appointment marks another step forward in the practice’s evolution, based on strengthening leadership, sharing knowledge and continuing to make possible well-designed, deliverable buildings.
As clients face heightened scrutiny, evolving compliance frameworks and greater delivery risk, Ben’s role will focus on strengthening leadership across the practice. He will support project teams, enhance Principal Designer competency and processes, and help connect expertise across studios to ensure a consistent and robust approach to the design and delivery of complex projects.
In addition to internal leadership, Ben will play an important role in developing new and existing client relationships, contributing to the continued growth of HNW’s London presence and broader market profile.
Ben describes himself as collaborative and people-focused, bringing a team-first mindset that aligns closely with HNW’s ethos. His appointment marks another step forward in the practice’s evolution, based on strengthening leadership, sharing knowledge and continuing to make possible well-designed, deliverable buildings.
Ben joins us at an exciting time for the practice as we continue to grow and strengthen our teams across all three studios. He brings a wealth of experience, particularly in residential delivery and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, which will be hugely valuable to both our colleagues and our clients. Just as importantly, Ben shares the collaborative and people-focused ethos that underpins everything we do at HNW. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team and look forward to the knowledge, leadership and energy he will bring as we continue to develop the practice together
Rosie Mitchell, Director at HNW Architects
March 2026