Leading architectural and engineering practice Pick Everard has announce the appointment of two new associates and an assistant director, all experts in their field.
New associate Dr Jose Hernandez is a sustainability consultant specialising in the dynamic thermal modelling of buildings, low carbon consultancy and BREEAM assessment. He leads Pick Everard's sustainability team, analysing building performance and the suitability of renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

Among Hernandez roles is advising on efficient building services systems and renewable energy opportunities for low carbon buildings. Hernandez has advised on a range of varied education and office projects, including the award-winning Madani High School in Leicester, ORBIS Renewable Energy Centre at Lowestoft, Leicester Grammar School, De Montfort University's Business and Law Faculty and the Veterinary Sciences Faculty at Nottingham University. He was also a key member of the design team that developed a winning entry for the Sustainable Construction Centre at Sherwood Energy Village. Jose joined Pick Everard in 2004.

New associate, architect Matthew Sweeting joined Pick Everard in October 2005 and has played a vital role in HM Prison Service projects, co-ordinating teams, reducing costs and creating more sustainable solutions. He also has broad experience in healthcare and education. Matthew was lead architect for HMP Everthorpe Healthcare Clinic and the £3.5million Leicester Spire Hospital extension in 2008/09. As senior project architect for the new £190million Featherstone prison, Sweeting has been responsible for co-ordinating the detailed design process. The new prison, designed for 2,000 inmates, includes accommodation, healthcare, catering and sports facilities. It is one of the first of its kind in the UK using an innovative design solution for modular construction within Ministry of Justice tight security guidelines.

Promoted to assistant director, Doug Soutar joined the firm in 2006 and has been key to the expansion of building services consultancy in the firm's Scottish region. He is responsible for the Inverness office and overall delivery and management of projects. He will now work more closely with Trevor Graham, divisional director based in Glasgow, to oversee and further develop the firm's growing consultancy portfolio across Scotland.

Doug has 36 years' experience in co-ordinating building services design for new and refurbishment schemes, designing mechanical services in education, leisure, retail, commercial and industrial property. An extensive portfolio includes undertaking maintenance and energy conservation surveys for all Shetland schools, Ministry of Defence properties at RNAD Vulcan at Dounreay, recently completed police stations in Nairn and Stornoway and a 15-cell extension to the Inverness police headquarters for Northern Constabulary. Other major projects include Stornoway and Kirkwall airports, sustainable housing development in Orkney and the new day services unit at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

'We're delighted to announce these new appointments. Jose, Matthew and Doug have all been essential in developing important areas of our business and I am confident each will make a significant contribution to our continuing success across the UK,' said
David Brunton, managing partner at Pick Everard.