Where Leadership Meets Legacy

Rob Charlton began his journey with the company in its Waring & Netts days, recognising its potential for growth and innovation. He guided the transformation into Space Group and SPACE Architects, steering the sustainable evolution and expansion of the business. As CEO of SPACE Architects and our partner companies Space Group, Bimstore, Twinview and BIM Technologies, Rob embodies the qualities of a trusted and respected figurehead.

Rob was inspired to work in architecture by his grandad, who worked in the building industry as a site agent and managed construction schemes across the North East. Driven by deep regional pride and a desire to inspire the next generation of architects, Rob directs SPACE Architects towards a greener and more inclusive future built on strong community foundations.

He is a focused and open-minded CEO who enjoys collaborating with members of the team, involving himself in the detail of designing buildings, attending internal design reviews and meeting with building owners and users. His approach is grounded in genuine openness. When he says his door is always open, he means it. He takes time to understand the individuals who make up SPACE, nurturing careers from the moment someone joins the studio and continuing that guidance throughout their progression.

Proud of his North East roots, Rob places great importance on the end users and communities SPACE serves. He remembers not only project details but the individuals connected to them, celebrating milestones, recognising effort and acknowledging contributions at every level. His ability to rally the team behind the most pressing issues facing the built environment, from the Building Safety Act to meaningful decarbonisation, reflects both his knowledge and conviction. He is a leader who invests in talent, in communities and in the tools required to shape a better built environment.

Rob enjoys travelling and spending time with his family. Italy remains a favourite destination, which he has visited regularly since 1999 when he first discovered what he fondly describes as the Italian way of life. That same appreciation for culture, relationships and shared experience carries into his approach. His deep respect for the practice’s heritage and for those who shape its future continues to define the ethos and direction of SPACE, uniting the team behind a shared commitment to people, planet and place.