21 years of leadership for Richard Wooldridge at HPA Architects

This year marks a significant milestone for HPA Architects, as the Lancaster based practice celebrated 21 years of Richard Wooldridge as a director.

Since becoming a director of HPA in 2005, Richard has played an imperative role in shaping the practice. His areas of specialism include concept design, masterplanning and planning, with a portfolio spanning housing, leisure, commercial and other development projects.

Earlier in 2026, Richard achieved chartered member status with the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) after completing his professional assessment. The qualification formally recognises his experience and expertise in planning and further strengthens HPA’s multidisciplinary capabilities across architecture, planning, heritage and development.

Richard said: “I am extremely proud to be celebrating my 21st year as a director at HPA. I’ve been part of the leadership team through many highs, as well as three recessions and a global pandemic, so it feels particularly rewarding to look back at how far the practice has come. When I became a director in 2005, HPA was a very different practice, and it has been fantastic to see it evolve and grow into the multidisciplinary team we are today.”

Richard’s influence within the profession extends well beyond his role at HPA. He has held a number of senior positions within the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), including serving as President of the Lancaster and Westmorland Society of Architects, representing the North West on the RIBA National Council, and later becoming chair of RIBA North West. Richard has also tutored at Lancaster University, and occasionally returns as a guest reviewer.

HPA has expanded from a team of eight in 1998 to a team of more than 20 in 2026, and is now a multidisciplinary practice, specialising in sustainability, planning and heritage.