Principal Designer Services

Steven Barnsley Associates (SBA) offers Principal Designer Services throughout the UK.

Steven Barnsley was formed in 2011. Originally offering CDM-C/ Principal Designer and Building Surveying/Lead Consultant services until October 2018 when Steven Barnsley relinquished his role as Director. Phil Powell (RIBA) took over ownership with Steven remaining as Senior Consultant Principal Designer to the company. 

Ben Mabbett, Senior Principal Designer and Associate, has provided Principal Designer Services to numerous projects. These include; the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, and the redevelopment of Alexander Stadium for the Commonwealth Games. 

Steven Barnsley Associates provide a high quality ‘hands on’ Principal Designer service to its clients.  Robust methods are reinforced by the expertise of its team members, who frequently act as Lead Designer and Contract Administrators on Architectural projects. This brings a depth of knowledge in modern construction methods and products, design, and commercial understanding. 


Principal Designer in health and safety co-ordination of design work, planning and construction

The Principal Designer’s role is made clear to all involved and that suitable requirements and procedures are in place during the project. 

Design Team Meetings positively influence decision making within the project whilst taking into account the nature, scale and complexity, Client targets and requirements, designs strategies, design programme and impact of the site and environment. 

Management of health and safety information between clients, designers and contractors

As Principal Designers we establish an overall management strategy and ensure that the team are aware of their roles within a project. 

We use ‘gateway points’ at key project stages to review the suitability and compatibility of design information. Gateway points are used to drive effective Design Risk Management and provide a stepped focus for co-ordination of design, planning and preparation. We ensure that we are at the heart of the information process and involved in determining the basic strategy for information management.

Design rick management (DRM) steers an effective path through the CDM duties and responsibilities that the Client and design team have on each project.  The primary objective is to get the right information to the right people at the right time. 

Project Timeline

A ‘Hazard and Risk Register’ is developed for each project and incorporates the design risks identified from the feasibility stage onwards. 

The Hazard and Risk Register is interrogated as a project progresses to the detailed design stage and beyond. This maintains and develops a chronological log of risks to eliminate, manage or reduce those identified.

Health and safety workshops are held by the Principal Designer at key stages through the design process in order to facilitate good communication, co-operation and co-ordination.  The workshops are used to develop: 

  • Principal project issues; 
  • Communication procedures; 
  • Recording and archiving systems; 
  • Monitoring and review procedures;
  • Hazard and Risk Register Development.