Peter Mathias, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the People in Property: Props Awards Wales, held in the City Hall, Cardiff on Friday 16th January 2009.

He joined Tim Holder to form The Holder and Mathias Partnership late in 1968 establishing an office over Tim’s garage. The new practice grew rapidly during the seventies winning acclaim nationally for buildings such as the OCS Headquarters in Llandaff and the Nat West Bank in St Mary’s Street. The London office opened in 1978 and at the beginning of the eighties the practice secured major projects such as The Cromwell Hospital, London and The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend.

One of the milestones in the late 1970’s was Peter’s securing as a repeat client a small but growing dairy company in Leeds – Associated Dairies – that became the Asda of the 1980’s. The first project was in Plymouth – ‘because that’s somewhere near Cardiff, isn’t it?’ Asda Property Director. From this, the practice’s experience in retail and town centre work was expanded with projects across the UK.

In 1984 Peter was instrumental in persuading a major national developer to successfully bid with the practice for the redevelopment of The Bute East Dock, now known as Atlantic Wharf, the first step in the creation of a new waterfront in Cardiff Bay. This early example of large scale urban regeneration laid the foundation for much of Holder Mathias’ work and had a significant influence on the practice.

Driven by Peter’s enthusiasm for the regeneration of South Cardiff Holder Mathias moved to The Bonded Warehouse in 1987, remodelling the building as part of its role in Atlantic Wharf. Under his guidance the practice went on to master plan Capital Waterside for ABP and to date has completed over thirty projects in one of Europe’s most successful urban regeneration projects. At the same time a growing reputation in London led to several substantial residential commissions including Free Trade Wharf on the banks of the Thames just east of Tower Bridge.

In 2000 he was instrumental in helping the second generation to lay the foundation of the present practice, moving towards empowerment of the leadership team which characterises the Holder Mathias of today.

Over this period Holder Mathias has become an RIBA Chartered Practice, has achieved Investor in People status, has been acknowledged as one of the Top 50 Employers in the UK Construction Industry (Building Magazine October 2007) and has consistently been in the AJ Top 100 list of UK architectural practices.

As an active member of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, Peter served on its Council from 1975 to 1989 and as President from 1985 to 1987. He also served as an RIBA Council Member from 1981 to 1987, chairing the Sound Practice Steering Group from 1985 to 1987. More recently an invitation to chair an informal Think Tank of principals of practices in the region reflects the respect he continues to enjoy within the profession.

Peter has combined his love of music with a strong sense of public service, firstly as a Director of The Welsh National Opera from 1990 to 1995 and then as a Governor of The Welsh College of Music and Drama from 1996 to 2007 where he laid the foundation of the present performing arts centre project. Peter’s enthusiasm for performing arts has encouraged Holder Mathias to become both Guild Members and commercial sponsors of The Wales Millennium Centre and the practice continues to actively support the Centre.