Design and architecture practice HLM has appointed Patrick Arends as head of hospitality, leisure & culture.

Bringing over 17 years of experience of delivering high quality and high value projects internationally, as sector lead Patrick will add to HLM’s acclaimed experience in the hospitality, leisure and culture sectors.

As winner of the RIBA West Midlands Emerging Architect of the Year award in 2014, Patrick possesses a strong skillset of innovation, quality and detail in his design work. He will bring this insight to the practice, the Glasgow studio and to each design project.

Patrick has delivered numerous national and international projects across the UK and the Netherlands. These include libraries, sports halls, hotels, art centres, theatres and Grade II listed cultural heritage buildings.

Karen Mosley, HLM managing director, said: “We are pleased to welcome Patrick to the growing HLM team and to extend our scope further within the hospitality, leisure and culture sectors. We are looking forward to sharing his valuable knowledge and experience with both our clients and our 150-strong team across all HLM studios.”

Patrick added: “I am delighted to join the highly-skilled, professional design and architecture team at HLM. As Head of Hospitality, Leisure and Culture, I am thrilled to begin delivering strong creative and visionary projects with a very talented team of colleagues.”

HLM has ambitious growth plans for its service areas of architecture, interiors, landscape architecture and urban design. It has also recently appointed six new directors to its Board, including internal promotions and a new appointment. Creating the next generation of leadership within the practice, the new directors will make further positive contributions to the direction and performance at HLM.

As an international practice, it serves Ireland and the UK with studios in Belfast, London, Sheffield, Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester. It also has studios in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.