Building Skills, Sharing Knowledge

27 August 2026

When architects, developers and contractors are looking for technical guidance on brick design and construction, they need expertise they can trust.

That is exactly what Ian Sutherland and Richard Wilks provide through Ibstock's Design Advisory Service. Alongside supporting customers on live projects every day, the pair are helping to build skills across the construction industry by sharing their knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars and Ibstock Brick University (IBU).

The Design Advisory Service has been supporting the industry since 1978 and draws on both Ibstock's extensive heritage and the practical experience of its advisors. Working across Ibstock's core and Futures product portfolios, Ian and Richard provide guidance on everything from brick selection and detailing to best practice, special shapes and innovative façade solutions. Their expertise supports customers, specification teams, technical services and product development teams alike.

A key part of that role is education. This year alone, Ian and Richard are on track to deliver more than 100 CPD seminars, with around two thirds taking place face to face at architectural practices across the UK and Ireland. Their most requested topics include Achieving Quality and Durability of Brickwork and Designing for Movement, reflecting the industry's appetite for practical technical knowledge that can be applied directly to real projects.

As qualified architects themselves, Ian and Richard understand the importance of ongoing learning. Their sessions are designed to be relevant, engaging and practical, helping architects and specifiers build confidence while gaining valuable insight into products, performance and best practice.

Beyond CPDs, the pair also lead Ibstock Brick University, a long-running programme that helps both colleagues and distribution partners deepen their understanding of brick and construction. A new short-course format launching this year will provide distributors and merchants with targeted product and technical knowledge to support customer conversations, while a longer internal programme later in the year will continue to give colleagues a solid foundation in both Ibstock products and the wider construction industry.

Speaking about the role, Ian Sutherland said:

"As architects, Richard and I bring practical experience in brick design, specification and construction, enabling us to deliver relevant, credible and engaging training that helps Ibstock customers and specifiers apply product knowledge effectively in real-world projects."

By combining technical expertise, customer support and a passion for sharing knowledge, Ian and Richard are helping to develop skills not only within Ibstock, but across the wider construction sector.

Thank you, Ian and Richard, for helping others learn, develop and succeed.

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