Meet the team

  • Founder and Director, Architect | BSc Hons Arch (First Class) | Pg Dip AAS | ARB

    Neil graduated from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen in 1990. During his studies, he spent his third year on an architectural exchange at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, studying under Professor Alfred Caldwell. On graduation Neil joined Howard Liddell Associates (Gaia Architects), for a short period, working on ecologically driven projects. Prior to this and during his year out from study, he had principally worked on a large scale commercial works with the Building Design Partnership. In 1992, Neil moved to Glenelg and formed the Corrary Partnership to work in timber and land management.

    During his time in Glenelg, Neil set up as a self employed architectural practitioner, under his own name, and started to take his knowledge and love of indigenous timber over to architecture, initially working on a series of small and local buildings and projects which explored its use. During this time he also taught on a part time basis at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen.

    In 1999, Neil relocated from Glenelg to Inverness and scaled up the works undertaken by the practice, to include the first of the commercial works, best illustrated in the award winning Renewable Energy Office Building, in Dalry, Dumfries & Galloway for Natural Power Consultants, completed in 2001. The move to Inverness widened Neil’s exposure and client base and gave him the opportunity to formally set up a construction side to the business, which now trades as MAKAR Ltd.

    Neil qualified as an architect in 2004, and has since become an architectural advisor to a number of regional groups, particularly within the Highland timber and construction sector. He regularly presents lectures to wider audiences.

  • Project Manager | M.Arch B.Arch (Hons)

    Steven, who holds a Masters Degree in Architecture, has been with Makar since 2013. Initially in the Design Team, he saw an opportunity to advance his knowledge with hands-on experience, and moved to the role of Projects Manager in 2015.

  • Design Manager | City & Guilds Construction Joinery Level 1

    Bart joined Makar in 2018 as a workshop operative after leaving a sales post with a large industrial supplies company. Bart was responsible for training and mentoring new staff and worked his way up to production supervisor. This practical experience gave him a solid foundation for his current roll as design and technical manager.

  • Operations Manager | B.A. Hons Design (First Class)

    After graduating with an honour’s degree in design and craftsmanship, he worked as a cabinetmaker for various private and commercial clients in London. Progressing through several companies before starting his own company installing kitchens and joinery interiors.

    For 20 years, his company was highly regarded and had a reputation for working on some of the most prestigious and challenging bespoke projects with uncompromising detail and deadlines.

    He moved back to Scotland in 2018 and has been involved with Makar since 2019.