HOLMES Miller Limited (HM) has completed the acquisition of Coltart Earley Architecture (CEA), a Glasgow-based architectural practice founded in 1990 by Bill Coltart and Stewart Earley.
Over the past three decades, CEA has built a reputation for ‘design excellence’ and delivery of ‘high-quality’ projects across both the public and private sectors — particularly in social housing, conservation, and community-focused developments, Holmes Miller said.
Following the retirement of co-founder Stewart Earley in 2023, ownership and management of the practice has now transferred from Bill Coltart to Holmes Miller. Bill Coltart will continue to play an active role in the business, ensuring continuity of CEA’s brand and values within Scotland’s architectural landscape.
Holmes Miller is an award-winning AJ100 practice with studios in Glasgow, London, and Leeds. The firm said the acquisition will see business continue as usual, with the CEA team remaining fully engaged in the delivery of ongoing projects, including the recently secured Cairn Road residential project for East Ayrshire Council and 98 new Passivhaus homes for East Dunbartonshire Council, delivered in partnership with hub West Scotland Limited, McTaggart Construction, and Cruden.
While CEA will operate under its established name for the immediate future, the acquisition is tipped to enable clients to benefit from Holmes Miller’s national scale, sectoral expertise, and specialist resources.
Callum Houston, MD of Holmes Miller Limited, said, “I am delighted to confirm the acquisition of Coltart Earley Architecture as we continue to grow the Holmes Miller portfolio. CEA’s impressive record across both private and public housing complements our own residential offering such as the recently completed award winning Park Quadrant Residences with Ambassador Homes and the planning consent achieved for 400+ Build-to-Rent apartments in Glasgow with KR Developments.
“This acquisition provides us with a springboard into the social and affordable housing market at a time when the UK Government’s new 10-year, £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme presents an unparalleled opportunity to make real, positive impact. Having spent time getting to know the CEA team, I have been inspired by their passion, professionalism, and commitment to quality. We are excited to welcome them into the Holmes Miller family and to support their continued success within a larger, stronger practice.”
Bill Coltart added, “I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at Coltart Earley Architecture over the past 35 years, having delivered affordable housing, community facilities and conservation architecture to over 70 different housing associations and local authorities, in Scotland. Joining Holmes Miller marks the next exciting chapter for the practice — one that ensures our clients continue to receive the personal, high-quality service they value, now supported by the resources and reach of a national, award-winning firm. This partnership safeguards our legacy while opening up new opportunities for our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.”
