dhk Architects appoints new Head of Communications
28 October 2024
dhk Architects has appointed experienced communications professional Hilary Alexander as Head of Communications, with a mandate to steer the practice’s strategic communications and support the senior leadership team.
Derick Henstra, dhk Founding Partner and Executive Chairman, says Hilary has been a valuable member of the team since joining dhk in November 2023 on a contract basis, and this appointment formalises her permanent role as Head of Communications.
“We’re excited to have Hilary on board, steering the practice communications in a more strategic direction, and supporting other aspects of the practice management as necessary,” says Henstra.
Hilary has 30 years’ experience as a communications professional specialising in business-to-business communications for small, medium and large organisations in the built environment, including engineers, architects, property developers, urban regeneration agencies and city improvement districts. She completed her National Diploma in Public Relations at the University of Johannesburg in 1994 and holds a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Rhodes University (2021). She’s currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Publishing Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, set for completion in 2025.
Originally from Johannesburg, Hilary worked in the UK for ten years, where she fell in love with learning and writing about architecture, infrastructure and cities, in various roles with leading architectural practices and multidisciplinary consultancies. She returned to South Africa at the end of 2009, and since then has been providing freelance strategy and content consultancy services to clients in the built environment and urban regeneration sectors, as well as renewable energy investment firms and NGOs, among others. She is a talented writer and skilled communicator with broad experience of all aspects of the communications and publishing spectrum.
Her experience as a writer and strategist in the built environment sector is supported by her long track record as a communications strategist, project manager, copywriter, ghost-writer, editor and proof-reader and publisher. She joined dhk in 2023 to help move the practice’s strategic communications programme forward.
Commenting on her recent full-time appointment, Hilary says she has always admired the practice and its work over the past 26 years, which has helped shape the Cape Town skyline.
She notes: “I’ve always admired dhk’s work, and this role enables me to immerse myself in writing about the architecture, urban design and interior design projects that has made the practice a leader in the field. It’s a privilege for me to be able to take the dhk story out into the world, working with an immensely talented team of architects, designers and other support colleagues.”
Hilary steers the practice’s communications alongside dhk Associate Jason Lowry, the Head of Graphic Design. Jason is involved in all aspects of design from identity, brand building, web development and online presence to experiential design, wayfinding and marketing campaigns for residential and commercial developments at dhk.
