After years of dedication and leadership, Peter Baker, Paul Hammond and Stephen Scammell retire as Partners of the business.
Although they are retiring, they will continue to support Synergy as consultants to the practice.
Their expertise and commitment have helped shape who we are today, leaving a lasting impact on colleagues, clients, and the wider business. While we will miss their daily presence, we celebrate the remarkable careers they have built.
Peter Baker
Partner – Architect
After nearly five decades in the profession, Peter Baker is retiring following a remarkable 49-year association with WF Johnson & Partners, Johnson & Partners, and Synergy. Over the course of his career, Peter has played a key role in shaping projects, mentoring colleagues, and helping to grow the practice.
Peter’s journey into architecture began with a passion for art and drawing. In 1974 he began studying at Liverpool University School of Architecture where life drawing and observational skills were a key part of the training. Liverpool in the 1970s was an inspiring place to study, exposing students to a vibrant mix of people, culture, and architecture.
In 1977, after completing his RIBA Part 1, he joined WF Johnson & Partners in Hemel Hempstead for what was intended to be a one year placement. Instead, it marked the beginning of a career-long connection with the practice.
Early in his career, Peter worked on the conversion of Victorian housing for the Commission for the New Towns, gaining valuable practical experience in surveying, design, and site work. The profession was very different then – drawings were produced by hand on A1 tracing paper, corrections were made with razor blades, and ammonia-filled dye-line machines produced the final prints. Computers and mobile phones were still decades away. If a copy of a drawing was needed, it was again produced by hand. When the profession later transitioned to CAD, Peter continued to start his designs with hand sketches.
After completing his qualifications and working at a different practice for four years, Peter later returned to Johnson & Partners and in 1986 became a Partner. Since then and following the merger of Johnson & Partners with Synergy, Peter has helped to grow the practice’s surveying services which has been greatly enhanced by the inhouse design capability.
Peter’s career spans a diverse portfolio of projects, including schools, hotels, and residential developments throughout Hertfordshire. Notably, he contributed to the design work and logistics for the Papal visit to Wembley Stadium in 1982. He also served as the architect for the new Notre Dame building at Sacred Heart School in Wealdstone.
Outside of his project work, a career highlight of Peter’s is taking part in Strictly Learn Dancing with colleague and Associate Partner Jenny Howard, involving 8 weeks of lessons and practising the Argentine Tango in the office upstairs.
Following the merger of Johnson & Partners with Synergy, Peter continued to support the development of the firm’s Building Surveying division and mentored colleagues, including helping Michael Sutton achieve his architectural qualification.
As Peter retires, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, mentorship, and dedication to high-quality service. His contributions to the practice and the many projects he has delivered will be remembered fondly by colleagues across the business.
Paul Hammond
Partner – Quantity Surveyor
Paul Hammond began his career as a Quantity Surveyor in August 1985 at just 18, shortly after completing his A Levels. Prompted by his parents to find a job before they went on holiday, he applied for a trainee role at Cowley & Partners in Guildford—buying his first suit for the interview and successfully securing the position. He started on a salary of £3,000 a year, cycling to work each day, while studying on day release at Reading College of Technology. After several years of hard work and determination, he qualified as an MRICS in 1992.
In his early career, Paul worked on projects for Unigate, including the Beddington Fruit Company factory in Kent—fondly remembered for the smell of fruit being processed for yoghurts. However, the 1991 recession brought redundancy and uncertainty, particularly as he had just taken his first step onto the property ladder. Undeterred, he wrote to around 100 firms before securing a role with Cook & Butler in London, beginning a 25-year chapter of commuting and career progression.
Paul was promoted to Associate in 1995 and became an equity partner in 2002. A major milestone followed with the 2007 merger that formed Synergy. Later, he returned to Guildford, close to where his career first began.
Throughout his career, Paul contributed to a wide range of notable projects. He played a key role in the restoration of Christ Church Spitalfields, a Grade I listed landmark by Nicholas Hawksmoor, and even had the opportunity to meet Prince Charles at its dedication. His involvement continued as Honorary Surveyor to the Friends of the church. In the education sector, he worked on the £50m redevelopment of West Thames College, and more recently delivered residential schemes with Thameswey in Woking—some within walking distance of his home—including the 150-unit Harrington Place development.
Over the years, Paul has seen significant changes in the profession—from hand-drawn plans and posted documents to today’s fast-paced, digital world—but the core principle of looking after clients’ money and delivering value has remained constant.
Paul looks back on his career with great fondness, valuing not only the variety of projects but also the many colleagues, clients and collaborators he has worked alongside. As he moves into a consultancy role, he looks forward to staying connected with Synergy and continuing to contribute his experience where needed.
He leaves with the warmest thanks and best wishes to all his colleagues, and with every confidence in the continued success of the practice.
Stephen Scammell
Partner – Quantity Surveyor
Stephen Scammell’s career in quantity surveying spans more than four decades, beginning with roles at practices including John Gibbs and Gleeds, and even a brief spell on the “dark side” of contracting. He joined Sawyer & Fisher on 1 January 1985 and went on to become a full partner in 1996, later achieving FRICS status and recognition by the RICS as a conservation specialist.
Early in his time at Sawyer & Fisher, Stephen found his niche in historic and listed buildings—a specialism that would define much of his career. After working on his first project, an extension to The Green School in Tottenham, he quickly moved into conservation work, including listed houses along the Grand Union Canal.
Over the years, Stephen has been involved in an extraordinary portfolio of prestigious and historic projects. These include Althorp, where he worked on The Princess Diana Memorial Exhibition, as well as Westminster Abbey, Lambeth Palace, and the cathedrals of Ripon, Southwark and St Albans. His work also extended to St Anne’s Limehouse, numerous churches, country houses, windmills, watermills and National Trust properties such as Cliveden. More recently, he has delivered unique projects such as the restoration of a threshing barn and swimming pool barn for a well-known musician.
Throughout his career, Stephen enjoyed a long-standing and friendly rivalry with fellow practices, including Cook & Butler, which later continued under the Synergy banner. In 2022, following careful consideration, he and his fellow partners made the decision to join Synergy—bringing together shared values and experience in what has proven to be a successful partnership.
Beyond his project work, Stephen has played an important role in mentoring others—encouraging colleagues into conservation through the SPAB course and supporting architects in establishing their own successful practices.
At the heart of it all has been the support of his wife, Jill, along with his two daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, who have accompanied him throughout his career journey.
As Stephen transitions into a consultancy role, he looks forward to supporting the handover of projects, continuing to represent Synergy, and—perhaps most importantly—spending more time with his grandchildren (and putting his DIY skills to good use where needed).
Stephen leaves behind an outstanding legacy in conservation and quantity surveying, and with the warmest wishes of colleagues for a long, happy and well-earned retirement.
