Ed Hayden, Shane Mellon and Richard Knight join Ridge, bringing a wealth of experience and a bold vision for future-proofed science and research ecosystems.

Adding architectural strength with Ed Hayden 

Ed Hayden brings over two decades of architectural expertise to Ridge. Ed joins from Scott Brownrigg, where he led teams of designers, architects and technicians on some of the UK’s most high-profile science and commercial projects. 

After qualifying in engineering, Ed moved into Architecture where he graduated with distinction and has since built a reputation for championing zero-carbon design and driving innovation. His portfolio spans multiple sectors – from residential and defence to transport and education – but his focus over the last 15 years has been on science and technology where he has delivered landmark projects including the Cambridge Science Park Bio-Innovation centre, Arm Headquarters, The Optic at PTP, Buildings 1&2 Cambridge Science Park, CABI Headquarters, and the award-winning St George’s College Activity Centre. 

As a respected and constructive voice in the UK life-sciences architecture conversation Ed champions innovations across the Life Science sector, at the forefront of shaping the future of science and research environments. He has a passion for sustainable, future-ready design, but also high on his agenda is what Ed calls ‘walkable science communities’. He says, “Science and research buildings should have science on show. We need to spark curiosity – especially in children – by making science visible and accessible, so it grows from the grassroots rather than trickling down from academia. Using these spaces to inspire and connect with communities is essential for the future of STEM.” 

Ed is also excited by the use of AI to support the design process, removing repetitive tasks and making more time and space for human creativity. His mantra is simple: let’s build beautiful buildings and have fun doing it. 

Commenting on his appointment, Ed says, “Joining a multidisciplinary consultancy like Ridge feels like the right move in today’s increasingly complex world. There are a growing number of specialisms in the industry, especially in science projects where service-led solutions are critical. Low-energy design, for example, relies on the building fabric working seamlessly with MEP systems – ventilation, lab infrastructure, and more. The best science buildings integrate architecture and engineering from the outset, something that’s hard to achieve as a standalone practice. And with new regulations such as the Building Safety Act and the golden thread, early coordination is more important than ever – and much easier in a multidisciplinary environment. I’m looking forward to having this specialist knowledge at my fingertips.” 

A strategic engineering duo 

“I want to lead the most experienced, trusted team in Oxford, Cambridge and London,” Richard Knight says, as he joins Ridge alongside his long-time colleague Shane Mellon  

Shane and Richard join Ridge from Hoare Lea, where they’ve worked together for 15 years. As Project Directors and Chartered Engineers with complementary skill sets – Shane in mechanical and Richard in electrical – they’ve formed a formidable partnership that blends deep technical expertise with a strategic consultancy approach. 

At Ridge, they will work with landlords and tenants, investors, contractors and end users, to provide consultancy and delivery support, from master-planning to construction, fit-out to leasing advice. 

“We believe in reverse engineering, if you like, where we put the end user at the core of everything and we layer our approach around them and what their needs are,” Shane says. 

This includes working with the universities, research institutions and investors who are developing science and tech facilities to understand their needs and challenges at one end of the process, and sitting down with tenants – including start-ups – to understand their ambitions, plans and technical requirements at the other. 

Richard and Shane’s arrival marks a significant step in our evolution in the science and research sector. While Ridge already has a strong foundation in this space, Shane and Richard’s leadership will help us expand further into the commercial science market. Their understanding of the sector’s rapidly shifting landscape – where no two labs or ecosystems are the same – is second to none. They bring a data-driven, performance-led approach to design, helping clients navigate complexity from feasibility through to delivery. 

“Too often, landlords try to offer a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Shane, Science and Research technical lead. “But in science, every tenant has unique needs. Our role is to guide clients through that complexity, helping them define what they really need – not just what’s available.” 

Richard, Science and Research team lead, adds, “We’re not just engineers – we’re strategic advisors. We work closely with stakeholders, end users, and capital project teams to shape spaces and ecosystems that truly perform. Ridge’s multidisciplinary culture and collaborative ethos make it the perfect place for us to do that.” 

Shane and Richard have an impressive knowledge of local ecosystems within Oxford, Cambridge and London, and have worked on some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile science facilities. Their portfolio includes the cutting-edge Rosalind Franklin Institute on the STFC site in Oxfordshire, the state-of-the-art Daubeny campus for the Oxford Science Park and the Institute of Neurology (Dementia Institute) in London. 

Their consultancy-first mindset and ability to lead clients through the full project lifecycle – from early-stage feasibility to stakeholder engagement and delivery – will be instrumental in shaping Ridge’s future offer in this sector.
 

Ed, Shane and Richard are a brilliant addition to our business. Their insight, energy and collaborative approach align perfectly with our values. They’ve worked with many of our teams before, and their arrival feels like a natural next step in our journey to deliver even more value to our science clients.

 

Liz Sparrow, Partner at Ridge

With broader visibility of clients and a culture that encourages knowledge sharing and innovation, Ridge is the ideal platform for Shane, Richard, Ed to continue doing what they do best – delivering exceptional outcomes in a fast-changing sector that stand the test of time.