Ken Shuttleworth’s firm Make has seen off a shortlist that included some of the world’s best known architects to win a transport project in Birmingham.

Make was one of six firms invited by client National Express to submit designs for a coach station.

The shortlist also included Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind and Will Alsop.

The £12m scheme aims to create an iconic building in the heart of the city near the Birmingham Bullring shopping centre.

John Prevc, the Make architect who will lead the project, said the scheme had special resonance for Shuttleworth.

He said: “Birmingham is Ken’s home town. The client has said it wants the best coach station in the world, and we’re excited to be involved.”

Shuttleworth used to be Norman Foster’s right hand man until he left to found his own practice at the end of last year.