Architect To Run Cambridge Estate

Mr Bienias, who was Deputy Director of EMBS, is a qualified architect and landscape architect. Educated at Swavesey Village College, the Oxford School of Architecture and Manchester University, he has worked in practices in the UK, Canada and Australia. He spent seven years as Chief Architect at Cambridge City Council before joining the University of Cambridge in 1996.

As Deputy Director and Head of Major Projects at EMBS he has overseen the implementation of the West Cambridge Master Plan and its first major developments, the refurbishment of the Department of Chemistry building on Lensfield Road and several other major contributions to the city’s built environment.

The Estate Management and Building Service has nearly 250 staff and is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the University’s estate of more than 300 buildings, as well as planning and managing a variety of major construction projects. There are currently nearly £600 million of projects in development.

“I am very enthusiastic about being involved in every aspect of the diverse range of activities undertaken by EMBS. As an architect the opportunities to influence the development of the University through collaborative working make this a challenging and exciting job.

“The priority for the future is to ensure sustainability of the University estate, financially as well as environmentally. It is vitally important that the University continues to make a significant and positive contribution to the architecture of Cambridge.”

University Registrary Dr Tim Mead said: "I am delighted that we have appointed Michael to continue to lead EMBS at a time when the University's physical development and the maintenance of its estate have never been more important or challenging. We searched internationally and Michael emerged as the front runner."

Michael Bienias is a Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge, a Governor of Swavesey Village College, and is a Board Member of the King Street Housing Society.