Polish-born Kasia Borkowska and Chris Long from Southport have taken over KKA architects in Liverpool after working for the firm for more than a decade. Tony McDonough reports

Two senior members of the team of a long-established Liverpool architecture practice have taken full control of the business.

Kasia Borkowska and Chris Long, both qualified architects, have each taken a 50% stake in KKA which is based in Liverpool’s commercial district. As part of a pre-planned succession process the previous directors are retiring and pursuing other interests.

The change in ownership comes as the firm 70-year-old firm secures a new deal to work on a £100m development in Bristol. In includes a 4,000-capacity sports and convention centre and a 230-bed hotel.

Until 1999, KKA was known as Kingham Knight Associates. Its best-known work in Liverpool includes the LFC Flagship Megastore at Anfield and the new multi-story car park and energy centre within Paddington Village in the Knowledge Quarter. 

It also worked on Robins High Performance Centre – a state-of-the-art training centre for Bristol City FC that officially opened last week, and a Hilton Garden Inn hotel overlooking the finish line at the famous Silverstone racing circuit.

Both Kasia and Chris have been closely involved with many of the firm’s major projects and will continue to play hands-on roles as directors. Kasia joined KKA 15 years ago after graduating from university in Poland, and worked her way up to director level.

Chris, who hails from Southport, joined the firm as soon as he finished his studies at Northumbria University and Liverpool John Moores University. He has been with KKA since 2007.

Kasia said: “We are hugely honoured to have taken the opportunity to steer the firm to further success, with an exceptionally talented and creative team behind us. We look forward to further cementing our reputation as a highly collaborative practice that isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.”

And Chris added: “KKA has a proud heritage of exporting Liverpool architectural expertise to the rest of the country, while simultaneously delivering many historic projects across the city.

“Kasia and I are both very proud to lead the company in the latest stage of its history. Just as we gained invaluable experience from our predecessors, we’re committed to nurturing the exceptional talent we have at the practice, ensuring the next chapter for KKA is its most exciting yet.”