Super User
Head of PR and Marketing
Anna is a marketing communications and PR professional with a strong track record of promoting small and medium-sized businesses across many sectors.
For nine years, she drove B2B communications for the business lobbying group, London First. As Marketing and Communications Director for its subsidiary, foreign direct investment agency, Think London, she developed promotional campaigns targeting international companies of all sizes through media relations, publications and events. She achieved widespread press coverage, including the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal Europe and Newsweek.
Previously, at London Weekend and Granada Television’s world-wide programme sales company, she managed all marketing, media relations and advertising and wrote and produced 100 publicity brochures.
Eight years ago, Anna set up a freelance consultancy business. Her clients have included UK Trade & Investment, The People’s Bank of China and Think London. She was assigned by Central London Partnership to manage communications and events for the ‘Legible London’ pedestrian wayfinding initiative, funded by Transport for London.
Anna was responsible for two successful business projects on behalf of Camden Council: raising the profile of jewellery start-ups in Hatton Garden and creating a communications plan to increase engagement with the local business community.
More recently, she was a PR account manager for international workplace provider, Regus. She also worked on a freelance marketing project for a newly-built international academy in Catalonia.
Anna has an honours degree in French and Spanish from London University and also speaks Catalan.
Our Approach
We are engineers trained in all aspects of environmental design, not confining ourselves to specific disciplines like mechanical, electrical, or sustainability.
We are all skilled at working in a 3D BIM environment, creating our own drawings and carrying out our own energy modelling.
Our integrated expertise is unique within the industry and equips each of us to deliver a service that is efficient, well-rounded, and transparent. It enables us to innovate and empowers architects and clients to make sound design decisions. Our approach leads to:
— Innovative problem solving
— Increased efficiency
— Well-rounded solutions
— Consistent quality
— Comprehensive oversight
— Strategic Insight
— Effective Communication
ORTUS Learning and Events Centre
Full design and acoustics for an exceptional new learning and events centre
A 1,550sqm building split over seven levels, designed as a flexible learning space. Natural daylight and ventilation, along with thermal mass ensure comfort while a closed-loop ground source system, partially powered by a PV array, provides efficient thermal management. Achieved BREEAM Excellent.
ORTUS is a new learning and events centre based in Camberwell, South London, adjacent to the world-renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital and King's College London. Striking architectural features and sustainable technologies underpin this learning environment, which houses teaching and conference facilities, a community café and exhibition spaces.
Conceived as a free-standing pavilion, the building features multi-functional spaces arranged at half-level intervals and connected through a central atrium. Strategic window placement and floor level offsets, allow natural daylight to flood the interior while managing solar gain to prevent overheating. To enhance comfort and efficiency, the building employs both manual and automated natural ventilation systems. Additionally, the use of profiled soffit and exposed fair-faced concrete brickwork maximises the benefits of thermal mass, further stabilising indoor temperatures and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
A sophisticated closed-loop ground source installation with seven 120-meter vertical loops efficiently provides thermal management for both heating and cooling needs. This system is partially powered by a roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) array, which contributes to the building's renewable energy supply. An integrated KNX system is employed to manage the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems along with lighting, ensuring precise control and optimisation of energy use throughout the building.
Ortus achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent' and is EPC ‘A'-rated, ranking highest for sustainability among all National RIBA Award winners in the Architects Journal 2014. Beyond these credentials, the centre provides a flexible learning environment, promoting connectivity and community through thoughtful space planning and cutting-edge technologies, making it a truly holistic and forward-thinking space.
Awards
2013 – Brick Awards Best Education Building Winner
2013 – Brick Awards Supreme Winner
2013 – WAN Awards – Civic Buildings Shortlisted
2013 – WAN Awards – Effectiveness Shortlisted
2013 – ACA’s PPC Innovation in Partnering Awards Highly Commended
2014 – British Construction Industry Awards Building Project of the Year (up to £10M) Winner
2014 – British Construction Industry ‘Best Practice’ Award Shortlisted
2014 – British Construction Industry ‘Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award’ Shortlisted
2014 – RIBA National Award Winner
2014 – RIBA Stirling Prize Mid-listed
2014 – RIBA London Regional Award Winner
2014 – New London Awards - Best in Education Winner
2014 – Civic Trust Award Winner
2014 – Building Better Healthcare Awards – Grand Prix Design Winner
2014 – Building Better Healthcare Awards – Best Mental Healthcare Development
News
* Read ORTUS nominated for EU prize *
People
Skelly and Couch was established in 2007 by founders Mark Skelly and Tristan Couch, and it is currently overseen by its initial co-founders, along with Directors Mark Maidment, Stephen White, David Hawkins and Stephanie Skelly. Over the past 15 years, we have experienced consistent growth primarily driven by repeat business, and now have a dedicated team of 30+ professionals.
All our engineers have a proven track record of delivering high-quality, innovative, award-winning designs in a range of sectors, and all are CSCS site safety certified.
Farmiloe Building
Refurbishment and extension of a Victorian landmark in the heart of London’s Clerkenwell.
Conservation and refurbishment of the 40,000 sq ft Grade II-listed warehouse create a major mixed-use development. Key measures include the atrium flowing into the new extension, bringing light in, sensitive fabric improvements, thermal mass, and passive heating. Rated BREEAM ‘Excellent'.
A prime example of Victorian architecture, the 150-year-old Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell—formerly home to lead and glass merchants George Farmiloe & Sons—is central to London’s trade heritage. Its robust warehouse floors, once the strongest in London, extend from a glazed atrium showcasing distinctive interiors with exposed wrought-iron beams, aged paintwork, panelled offices, hoists, and safes.A prime example of Victorian architecture, the 150-year-old Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell—formerly home to lead and glass merchants George Farmiloe & Sons—is central to London’s trade heritage. Its robust warehouse floors, once the strongest in London, extend from a glazed atrium showcasing distinctive interiors with exposed wrought-iron beams, aged paintwork, panelled offices, hoists, and safes.A frequent location for film, TV, and fashion shoots, the 40,000 sq ft Grade II-listed building has been refurbished and extended into a major commercial hub near the new Farringdon Crossrail station. The project achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to Part L standards and earned a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
Skelly & Couch enhanced the thermal fabric within listing constraints, while imaginative use of space expands the stunning atrium into the new extension bringing light deep into the building. The extension also benefits from thermal mass, including exposed slab soffits.Air ducts cast into the slab feed perimeter fan coil units for passive heating and cooling. A highly efficient environmental system has been implemented, incorporating extensive heat recovery and thermal stores with phase-change materials. Heat and coolth recovered from chillers and rooftop free cooling are stored and reused, significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
Following the refurbishment’s success, Skelly & Couch was commissioned to fit out concert ticket giant Live Nation’s new headquarters at the Farmiloe. The environmentally responsive design delivers high-spec loft-style offices with built-in flexibility to meet future operational needs.
Contact
Telephone: 020 7424 7770
Fax: 020 7424 7771
For general information
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London
Skelly & Couch Ltd.
6 – 9 Union Wharf
23 Wenlock Road
N1 7SB
For directions to our studio offices, please use this map.
We are based in new waterfront studios close to Old Street, London’s dynamic hub for design-led businesses and home to many of our creative partners.
Bristol
020 7424 7770
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3rd Floor East,
Programme, All Saints Street
Bristol,
BS1 2NB
Cambridge Central Mosque
The first ‘eco-mosque’ in Europe, representing a new landmark standard for spiritual centres across the world.
The Mill Road site includes a 1,000 capacity prayer hall, community kitchen and café, teaching rooms and two residential units, all surrounded by a cypress tree garden, that provides a rich, naturally-cooled microclimate within the harsh urban environment.
Brighton College Music School and Theatre
A Professional-Grade Performance Venue for a leading educational Institution
A new building housing practice rooms and a high-spec 195-seat recital hall. Sustainable design includes a fabric-first approach, MVHR, and a low-carbon water source heat pump link to a site wide borehole system. RIBA South East Award 2017 winner. BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated.
Situated within Brighton College, the Music School is the initial phase of a broader performing arts hub. Supporting over 25 ensembles and 70+ concerts, competitions, and events annually, the facility features a recital room with adjustable wall-mounted panels to fine-tune acoustics for different genres. Externally, the roof distinctive tile pattern references musical notation, natural forms, and the sky. Internally, the ceiling enhances acoustics and thermal insulation. Situated within Brighton College, the Music School is the initial phase of a broader performing arts hub. Supporting over 25 ensembles and 70+ concerts, competitions, and events annually, the facility features a recital room with adjustable wall-mounted panels to fine-tune acoustics for different genres. Externally, the roof distinctive tile pattern references musical notation, natural forms, and the sky. Internally, the ceiling enhances acoustics and thermal insulation.
Skelly & Couch delivered full MEP design, infrastructure upgrades, and a site-wide energy masterplan. A phased approach minimised disruption on the live historic site. The project met complex technical demands while achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.
A fabric-first approach reduced energy use through high thermal performance and airtightness. Where suitable, thermal mass and natural ventilation regulate internal temperatures. Daylight and solar studies ensured bright, comfortable interiors using large north-facing windows, external canopies, and well-placed openings to avoid glare and overheating. Below ground, a survey of existing installations informed a strategic drainage solution that redirects runoff into a new soakaway, minimising impact on local public infrastructure.
An MVHR system maintains air quality, reduces heat loss, and meets acoustic standards through carefully routed ducts. Skelly & Couch also supported the fire strategy with M&E input, enabling a fully coordinated system. Smart lighting and zoned controls enhance occupant comfort while the centralised, high-efficiency plant room and a water source heat pump for low-carbon heating and cooling play a key role in supporting carbon reduction and long-term optimisation.
As part of the broader energy strategy for an evolving campus, an open-loop borehole network was developed to support the water source heat pump system designed to serve the Music School as well as future buildings on this side of the campus. Skelly & Couch evaluated options and provided a detailed analysis of carbon savings and payback periods as additional buildings connected to the network.
While early irrigation borehole tests confirmed groundwater presence, further investigations were necessary to verify the site’s capacity for sustainable heating and cooling. Four buildings are now connected, delivering substantial CO₂ annual savings and demonstrating the tangible environmental value of this approach.
Lauded for its sustainable design, the Music School supports the development of musical talent while laying the foundation for low carbon, future-proof infrastructure across the campus. Following its success, Skelly & Couch were appointed to the College’s new Science & Sports Centre and Drama Building.* Shortlisted for a 2017 RIBA South East Award.*
Battersea Arts Centre
We have been working over a number years on a rolling programme to upgrade the services, enhance the technical infrastructure and improve the thermal performance of the Grade II*-listed 6000m² Battersea Arts Centre, formerly Battersea Town Hall.
ARK Putney Academy
The project at ARK Putney Academy was a complete refurbishment, which aimed to create an inspiring environment suitable for modern teaching at Wandsworth’s most improved secondary school. The Grade II-listed building, designed in the early 1950s by G A Trevett of the London County Council, has been described by English Heritage as ‘perhaps the finest of the large comprehensive schools built by the London County Council architects’.
Skelly & Couch celebrates seven successful years
Skelly & Couch, the award-winning building environment and services engineering firm, is welcoming 250 architect clients and other close associates at the iconic Farmiloe Building on Thursday 18 September to celebrate its seventh birthday.
Formed originally as an LLP in 2007, Skelly & Couch became a limited company in April this year. The innovative, design-led practice, based in London’s Kentish Town and run by Directors Mark Skelly, Tristan Couch and Mark Maidment, has grown steadily over the past seven years through mainly repeat business - and has tripled its staff team to 30. All its engineers are trained in every aspect of building environment design and produce their own drawings and energy models with the latest 3D BIM software, allowing the firm to give its clients an integrated, informed and well-rounded service.
Working in partnership with the renowned international architectural practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Skelly & Couch has recently started work on a conservation and refurbishment project at the Grade II-listed Farmiloe Building, once home to lead and glass merchants George Farmiloe & Sons. Built in 1868 as an exemplar of the finest Victorian architecture, the 40,000 sq ft Clerkenwell warehouse site is presently a valued film, fashion and TV location, which will be transformed into a commercial office development with retail space, while the character of its decorative interiors will be retained.
Skelly & Couch will be applying its specialist knowledge and best-practice conservation techniques to incorporate a number of energy-saving measures, including exposed thermal mass in a new-build extension with cast-in air ducts feeding perimeter fan coil units for passive heating and cooling. Imaginative use of space to extend the stunning existing atrium into the new extension will bring light deep into the building. The project has a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’.
In May, Skelly & Couch won the prestigious 2014 Association for Consultancy and Engineering Project Design Excellence Award (companies with up to 250 employees) for its mechanical, electrical and environmental design work at the ORTUS learning and events centre in Camberwell, the Jerwood Gallery, Hastings and the refurbished Mansel Court office building in Wimbledon.
Skelly & Couch projects won two 2014 RIBA National Awards this year: ORTUS learning and events centre in Camberwell (Duggan Morris Architects) and Drapers' Academy, Romford (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios). RIBA London Awards were given to the Arts Centre at the Lady Eleanor Holles School in Middlesex (Walters & Cohen Architects) and Oily Cart Children's Theatre in Tooting (Hawkins\Brown).
Skelly & Couch has achieved both ISO 9001 accreditation and ISO 14001 certification for environmental management.
For enquiries, comment or images, please contact:
Anna Barlow, Head of PR and Marketing, Skelly & Couch
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. telephone: 020 7424 7770
