A RESPECTED North-East architect is retiring after 26 years at the helm of a practice.

Ian Darby will stand down at Ian Darby Partnership.

Mr Darby founded the business with Mark Massey in 1988.

The company, based in Newcastle, has helped create some of the North East’s most popular housing developments, including Royal Quays, Baltic Quays and Newcastle Great Park, as well as designing UK headquarters for software firm Sage.

It has also trained more than 75 architects.

Mr Darby will be succeeded by senior partner, Mark Massey and partners Roger Copestake and Keith Dillon, with Jane Massey as consultant.

Mr Massey said: “Ian’s retirement heralds a change for the firm as it emerges from the recession and once again increases its staffing levels.

“We are also benefiting from the large and capable experienced workforce in the North-East.”

The firm was recently appointed by developer Crest Nicholson to prepare and deliver a masterplan for Arborfield, near Reading, which will provide more than 5,000 homes.