The Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment invite you to our MAG Symposium to explore the role of Design Reviews and other design processes in the shaping of successful places.

MAG calls for a common platform for discussion, collaboration and decision making to enable vibrant, healthy and economically sustainable places to be created by the many varied stakeholders and users that they serve. Our vision is that all communities in Northern Ireland enjoy and benefit from exemplary, sustainable and well-designed spaces, places and buildings.

Through our MAG Symposium, we wish to explore how, collectively, we communicate and value what is important in the making of great places and how MAG’s Design Review service can optimise project development to deliver better outcomes.

Our guest speakers will consider the opportunities and benefits offered through this approach, as well as showcasing processes and outcomes for a range of participants and context through the presentation of case studies. There will be an opportunity to share in a collective conversation on our individual and collective roles in enabling good design, and to reflect on how MAG can best support this practice.

Julie Tanner BSc, DipTP MRTPI, Head of Planning and Design, Design West, Bristol.

A graduate of the Queens University of Belfast, Julie has worked across the public sector at Notts County Council, Glasgow & Clyde Valley Structure Plan Team, East Midlands Regional Assembly, East Midlands Development Agency and Harborough District Council. Julie set up her own consultancy in 2012, and is currently Director of PLACEplanning Ltd. With a passion for architecture and urban design, Julie believes that design-led methods support better quality places through the planning system. She was appointed as Head of Planning & Design at Design West in 2019 and has been actively involved with Design Midlands since 2012 – both members of the national Design Network. Julie manages c 60 design reviews annually, notably large-scale community, infrastructure and public realm projects as well as individual buildings of strategic importance. Julie is also on the High Street Task Force.

Sharon Smyth FCIPS LLM, Chief Executive, Construction and Procurement Delivery, Department of Finance.

Sharon has worked in public procurement since November 2001. She was appointed Chief Executive of Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) in July 2021.

CPD provides professional procurement services to a wide range of public bodies. The services provided includes the procurement of supplies, services and construction works; advice on the management of programmes and projects; and a range of property and facilities management services.

Sharon is accredited as a Senior Commercial Specialist by the Cabinet Office’s Assessment and Development Centre and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Sharon also holds a Masters Degree in Public Procurement Law.

Ciarán Fox, Director of RSUA

Ciarán was appointed Director of RSUA in June 2015 after 10 years with the Construction Employers Federation (CEF). RSUA is a charity dedicated to improving the built environment through good architecture. It is also the professional body for architects based in Northern Ireland and is in alliance with RIBA. RSUA has approximately 1,000 members. Ciarán is a former chair of the Northern Ireland Construction Group and the current chair of Climate NI. He also sits on the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland.

Supporting good design