Bradford City Centre based Yeme Architects opened its doors in 2011. Originally a practice focussed on home extensions, Yeme quickly grew its client base because of its company ethos – to be different, and to always be better. Yeme now acts for property owners of all sizes across the UK, and this year will turn over £1 million for the first time.
When walking around Yeme’s studios there is a real sense of energy and momentum. The window ledge completely covered in awards shows the success that Yeme has already enjoyed, but the company has big plans for more.
Chief Executive, Amir Hussain, is proud of how he and his team have been able to use design and architecture to bring people and communities together. Inclusive Growth – economically succeeding whilst bringing real benefits to the communities in which it works – is at the core of the company ethos.
Yeme is now in a period of rapid growth, with staff numbers surging. Despite having only moved into their city centre offices two years ago, the company is already beginning to consider relocating to larger premises in Bradford to facilitate further growth.
In the coming years, Yeme plan to work more closely with the public sector and significantly invest in technology to develop the architectural and design services they offer, continuing to be at the cutting edge.
However, Yeme’s journey over the last seven years has not been without its challenges. Yeme is building an architects practise that aims to be the best in the sector, but to achieve that, Yeme needs to employ the best professionals from across the north of England. With a train from Manchester to Bradford city centre currently taking over an hour, despite only being 30 miles away, Bradford’s poor links to nearby towns and cities continues to be a challenge when recruiting and retaining staff.
Such transport challenges, especially in terms of east-west connectivity, also cause issues for client servicing. With Bradford linked to Leeds and Manchester by a slow rail service and a congested and unpredictable motorway corridor, site visits to Yorkshire and the North West can take a full day. Similarly, Bradford’s poor connectivity to Manchester Airport causes real problems for Yeme when engaging with potential clients from outside the UK.
Despite these challenges, Yeme is committed to Bradford and confident about the business’ future in the city.
That is why Yeme support the Next Stop Bradford campaign as they believe that connecting Bradford to the key economic centres across the North is vital in positioning Bradford as a positive place to do business, benefiting the whole Northern Powerhouse for decades to come.
Yeme is actively championing a Northern Powerhouse Rail station in Bradford city centre as they know it will not just support business growth, but it will also unlock further growth opportunities across the District and the North and have a real impact on people’s day to day lives, both for work and leisure.
Amir Hussain has pledged his support on behalf of Yeme for the Next Stop Bradford campaign at www.nextstopbradford.com/pledge-support and encourages more business leaders across the North to get behind this case and make a positive, lasting difference to the city.