Quoted architect Aukett Fitzroy Robinson has expanded its senior management team after appointing its director of offices to the board and promoting 14 architects to associate level.

Peter Eaton, the firm's director of offices and a specialist in masterplanning, has joined the firm's operating board to focus on personnel development, training and design.

Eaton has won plaudits for masterplanning and design work on projects including the Royals in Docklands, east London, the Val d'Europe business park to the east of Paris, and Cambourne Business Park in Cambridgeshire.

Nicholas Thompson, AFR chief executive, said that Eaton's appointment would mean a shift towards a greater architectural input. He said: "I'm the business part of the practice and Peter's the practice part of the business."

Eaton is a veteran of the Aukett side of the business, prior to its reverse takeover of Fitzroy Robinson for £2.3m in March 2004.

His promotion has come after a practice-wide push to strengthen middle management with the promotion of 14 architects to associate.

I’m the business part, Peter’s the practice part of the business

Six architects from the firm's office team have become associates, while the other eight are in the retail, graphics, interiors, regional and Akeler account team sections of the business.

Thompson said: "Their promotions will allow the business directors to focus on client relationships and strategy. The view we take is that if the business is doing well then the people should grow with it."

Aukett Fitzroy Robinson has recently been working with developer Firoka on its successful bid to regenerate Alexandra Palace in north London. The scheme, which will create an exhibition, leisure and entertainment complex, was given to the pair in March.