Staff promotions announcement
MICA is pleased to announce the recent promotions of our long-standing team. To celebrate we have summarised the team's achievements:
Jessie Turnbull, Associate Director
Jessie is a highly accomplished architect with extensive experience in designing homes for students and families, married with excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm for truly sustainable design. Having led teams on regeneration, building and masterplanning projects, Jessie brings a wealth of knowledge to the practice.
Jessie has been a key figure in MICA’s partnership with the W Programme campaign, supporting social mobility initiatives such as SMF and alternative entry routes into the architecture profession. Her dedication to improving equality and increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups highlights her leadership in driving positive change within the industry. Jessie led the company’s transition to becoming a B Corp, with support from Paul and Victoria.
Her portfolio includes notable projects such as The H B Allen Centre for Keble College, Clive Booth Student Village for Oxford Brookes University, and the Christ’s College Cambridge Masterplan.
Jessie’s passion for impactful design, sustainability, and social equality continues to influence her work, making her an integral part of MICA's leadership.
Lilian Swanson, Associate Director
Lilian has made a significant impact during her decade-long career in the architectural industry. As a highly skilled professional in procurement, business development, PR, marketing, and communications, Lilian leads MICA’s bids team with outstanding results. Under her leadership, the team has successfully secured major projects in competitive UK markets and expanded MICA's reach into new international territories, including the United States and South Asia.
In addition to her expertise in winning bids, Lilian excels in graphic design and the development of marketing materials, including printed brochures, video, branding, website design, and social media output. These efforts have significantly improved MICA's business outreach, increasing visibility and engagement with clients and stakeholders.
Lilian is also instrumental in shaping the firm's outreach, equality, and diversity initiatives. She oversees ISO and Quality Management Systems, playing a key role in aligning the practice’s ethos, narrative, and strategies for future growth. Her well-rounded leadership and innovative thinking continue to drive MICA’s success on a global scale.
Jacob Spence, Senior Associate
Jacob carries strong and well-rounded design capabilities within the office, leading contemporary approaches in city-centre locations and sensitive contexts, with experience in cultural, education, conservation, commercial, housing and landscape projects. A strong advocate for future-focused design, Jacob is committed to developing net-zero carbon buildings and promoting sustainability through the refurbishment of existing structures and the regeneration of characterful places.
Jacob led delivery of the award-winning Hay Castle in Wales, seeing the Scheduled Monument and Grade I Listed Building rescued through rejuvenation and introduction of contemporary, flexible strategies for exhibition, education and community use. He is also working on a part-Passivhaus, part-EnerPHit housing scheme in Didcot, and has contributed to masterplan and built schemes in Oxford and Cambridge.
A lifelong learner, Jacob encourages the next generation of architects by participating in university design studio critiques in London and abroad, and mentoring initiatives for RIBA, Social Mobility Forum and MICA work experience students. His passion for mentorship and sustainability, combined with his rich architectural experience, positions Jacob as a leader in creating inclusive, forward-thinking design solutions.
Jamie Lilley, Senior Associate
Jamie brings fresh research on key issues facing academic institutions. His forward-thinking approach to educational design, combined with meticulous attention to detail, enables him to solve complex problems with elegant and efficient solutions. Jamie places a strong emphasis on low-energy design and the importance of conservation of existing heritage of the buildings, sites and landscape.
His notable work includes leading the strategic masterplan for Wellington College and delivering the Woodland Quad and a new Sixth Form Centre, which provide world-class boarding, pastoral, and educational facilities. Jamie has also contributed to projects at prestigious schools such as Stowe School, Cheltenham Ladies' College, and several international schools.
In addition to his project work, Jamie authored an ISBA paper on the diversification of pupil accommodation, focusing on optimising out-of-term spaces through intelligent spatial planning and energy strategies. His ability to blend innovation, sustainability, and heritage conservation makes Jamie a standout leader in the architectural design for educational institutions.
Victoria Timberlake, Senior Associate
Victoria is an experienced architect and certified Passivhaus Designer, specialising in delivering high-quality, sustainable new build and refurbished student accommodations. Her expertise in designing contextual, contemporary, and crafted buildings with a strong focus on sustainability makes her an invaluable asset to the firm.
Victoria’s impressive portfolio includes projects such as the award-winning Hands Building for Mansfield College, Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre, East Ham, and the Cheng Yu Tung Building for Jesus College, Oxford. The results are beautifully crafted, award-winning buildings that showcase Victoria’s measured, pragmatic design skills and her ability to minimise project risk while delivering exceptional quality.
In addition to her project work, Victoria leads MICA’s in-house BIM development team, enhancing the firm’s ability to deliver efficient projects with real-time 3D collaboration. Her calm demeanour, excellent organisational skills, and leadership in sustainable design continue to shape MICA's innovative approach to architecture.
Mark Tugman, Senior Associate
Mark is a thought leader in the field of student living and learning, with a strong focus on bridging insights from higher education and further education sector. His extensive architectural experience spans a wide range of educational and mixed-use projects in complex historic sites, making him a key figure in shaping innovative learning environments.
Mark has successfully led large consultant teams through all stages of design and construction, ensuring seamless project coordination and exceptional outcomes. His notable projects include the Lincoln’s Inn Library Extension, the Geoffrey Arthur Buildings at Pembroke College, Oxford, and a new lecture theatre and teaching spaces at Nuffield College, Oxford showcasing his ability to deliver complex, high-quality educational spaces.
As a leader at MICA, Mark continues to drive forward-thinking strategies in student living, learning, and education design, making a lasting impact on institutions and their communities.
Paul Wynn, Senior Associate
Paul brings contemporary thinking on residential development based on a long-standing interest in low-rise high-density housing developed, particularly how people live and inhabit their homes and communities. With extensive experience in residential, mixed-use, and masterplanning schemes, Paul has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban living.
He has developed MICA’s innovative software, integrating decarbonisation strategies, energy modeling, and estate mapping to help clients create effective pathways to net zero. This tool has been crucial for clients in addressing sustainability and long-term environmental goals.
Paul’s past projects include the St Mary’s Fields Masterplan in Ashford, the Wellington College Decarbonisation Masterplan, and the Gilston Park Estate Masterplan in East Hertfordshire. His expertise extends to transport-led development, where he has conducted major studies for Transport for London, London Continental Railways, and Network Rail, exploring how infrastructure can unlock housing delivery in London.
An award-winning author of the High Density x Urban Greening study for LLDC, Paul continues to push the boundaries of sustainable design and urban planning, contributing to the future of housing and infrastructure development.
Jonathan Evans, Associate
Jonathan is an accomplished architect with a diverse portfolio of projects across various scales, specialising in historic city-centre locations and sensitive contexts. Since joining MICA in 2016, Jonathan has developed a deep passion for conservation and heritage value. As a RIBA Conservation Registrant, he is actively working towards becoming a Conservation Architect, further deepening his expertise in this important field.
Jonathan’s projects include the award-winning Cheng Yu Tung Building for Jesus College Oxford, private residential schemes in London and the South East, a masterplan and investment framework study for the city of Lancaster, as well as the sensitive restoration of the 18th-century Moor Tower in the Herefordshire countryside.
With an excellent knowledge of suppliers and materials, Jonathan supports the office project teams on aspects of interior design, from selecting finishes and materials to specifying furniture and fittings.
Currently, Jonathan is leading the design of the Library and Archive for Hertford College Oxford, continuing his commitment to creating thoughtful, high-quality spaces that respect and enhance their historical contexts.
All of the team above have demonstrated ongoing commitment and above all dedication, hard work and team leadership which has contributed to the growth of MICA across a range of sectors. The team are friendly nimble and creative, and have grown with the practice over the years and nurtured key clients, as well as their dedicated team members. These promotions also demonstrate our ongoing development of the practice as we invest for the future and look forward to the next phase of our growth.
