About
Le Vaillant OwenEstablished in 2004, Le Vaillant Owen is an award winning architectural practice. The Managing Director, Valerie Owen is a Chartered Architect, Chartered Town Planner, Chartered Development Surveyor and Chartered Environmentalist and is expert in achieving sustainable development and securing beneficial planning permissions and listed building consents, ranging in scale from private houses and the restoration of historic buildings, to commercial and public buildings, to master plans including village extensions and major housing developments. Valerie has successfully delivered over 200 projects in East Kent and is a highly regarded Architect and Town Planner in the area. The Practice also has an informal “partnership” with a Structural Engineer in Deal, so we can provide combined fee proposals/services if required.
Meet the Team
Directors: Valerie Owen OBE and Bob Le Vaillant
Executive Assistant: Michele Skelt
Valerie Owen OBE
BSc BArch RIBA DipTP MRTPI ACIArb MRICS FRSA CEnv
Director
Valerie Owen is a Chartered Architect, Town Planner, Development Surveyor and Environmentalist – an expert in heritage, sustainable development and regeneration. In her early career, Valerie specialised in conservation and heritage, converting redundant Listed Buildings to commercial uses on behalf of The Marquis of Tavistock and The Trustees of the Bedford Estate. She then became Architect Director at international consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, upgrading properties in major Pension Fund portfolios. Later, Valerie became Managing Director at London First, delivering sustainable development programmes in housing, health and the environment through business–led, public/private partnerships.
Valerie is passionate about good design, regeneration, and sustainability. She has held numerous Ministerial and NED appointments, acting as commissioning client for major public sector projects, including the redevelopment of 11ha site in Nine Elms, London for Covent Garden Market Authority and of the Western Docks for Dover Harbour Board. Valerie is currently a Director of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, creating a 21st Century Garden City.
Valerie was awarded a National Honour (OBE for Services to Architecture) in 2001. Valerie received the National Women in Construction Lifetime Achievement Award (2015), the CBI’s ‘First Woman’ Built Environment Award (2016) and the Sunday Times Non–Executive Director of the Year Award (2017).
Link to website: valerieowen.com
Bob Le Vaillant
FIoL JP
Director
An expert in community regeneration and voluntary sector development, Bob Le Vaillant brings over 30 years experience of innovation and direct service delivery in the fields of community social work, outdoor education, youth crime diversion and the recruitment, training and management of volunteers. With over 20 years as a senior manager at the Universities Settlement in East London (Toynbee Hall), Bob’s leadership skills and qualities are complemented by an initial career in the Armed Forces.
At Le Vaillant Owen, Bob leads on the social and community issues when delivering sustainable developments.
Michele Skelt
Executive Assistant
Michele has extensive experience in Quality Management and professional administration, with a strong emphasis on client relations, confidentiality and delivering a consistently high standard of support.
She also has working knowledge of property management, holiday letting and media design, including designing publications for Deal & Walmer Chamber of Trade, and architectural books for The Architects Livery Company. Michele previously worked as a Personal Assistant within the textile industry, with additional experience in hosting and client engagement at furniture shows. With a keen passion for interior design, Michele brings a creative eye and a strong appreciation for style and aesthetics to her work. She is also part of the creative community in Deal, selling her own handcrafted products through local outlets.
Email: michele@levaillantowen.com