Inside the life of 'influential' businessman who helped shape Birmingham city centre

-Credit:Birmingham Post and Mail
-Credit:Birmingham Post and Mail


A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Architect Roger Ingall helped design some of Birmingham's most used and recognisable buildings, including city hospitals and university buildings.

Born in Dorridge in 1942, Roger was an ambassador for British Architecture who led one of the largest architectural companies in the world. He died on January 1 2025.

The Solihull-born architect "cared deeply about everyone" and was a "friend to many", his family told BirminghamLive. After living and working abroad in countries like America and Ghana, Roger returned to Birmingham to work at a major city architectural firm, which oversaw the design of key hospital buildings in the West Midlands, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Women's Hospital maternity wing and Walsall Manor Hospital.

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Roger's son Daniel Ingall told BirminghamLive about his father's life and career, which got off to an unorthodox start as a brief spell in dairy farming before he decided to pursue architecture. "With humour, he would tell his children how he declared to his father, ‘farming requires capital’ before changing course.

"This led him to the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, where he not only found his true calling but also met Patricia, his soulmate and wife of 60 years."

Paying tribute to a "beloved husband, father, grandfather", Daniel said: "Roger's early years revealed the curiosity, ingenuity, leadership and warmth that would define his life – from organising ambitious school trips for his classmates, including a voyage on Cunard’s Queen Mary."

A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger Ingall -Credit:Dan Ingall
A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger Ingall -Credit:Dan Ingall

On his dad, an ex-King Edward's School pupil, Daniel added: "[Mum and dad's] life together began with a move to Boston, Massachusetts, where Roger worked with Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus movement, the most influential of all art schools.

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"This experience left an indelible mark on Roger and profoundly influenced his architectural career. The young couple then ventured to Ghana, where they embraced life in a warm expatriate community. Roger discovered polo, a sport that fused his passion for rugby and affinity for animals."

Returning to the UK in the 1970s, Roger settled in Solihull and rose to senior partner at William Nicholls Downing Smith in Edgbaston. During the 1980s, he merged the firm with Temple Cox, and became an "influential part of the West Midlands business community."

A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger Ingall, who sponsored world famous choir Ex Cathedra, who are based in Birmingham -Credit:Dan Ingall
A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger Ingall, who sponsored world famous choir Ex Cathedra, who are based in Birmingham -Credit:Dan Ingall

Roger's business endeavours, reported in the Birmingham Mail, included a later merger which involved more than 500 employees in the UK and work on some of the city's most prestigious projects. This included working on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Women's Hospital and Birmingham University's halls of residence and student union.

Dan added: "He later played a key role in merging TCN Architects with AHR and Aedas, creating one of the largest architectural companies in the world and earning the No.1 spot on the BD100 list."

A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger, a keen sailor
A Birmingham man who was integral to shaping the city's skyline has died aged 82. Pictured: Roger, a keen sailor

Dan added his father's practice also did Gaydon British Heritage Motor Museum and the Masshouse project, which included the construction of city blocks in Birmingham's Eastside. Roger also served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce, mentor to the Prince's Trust, and sponsored the arts, including the world-famous Ex Cathedral choir in Birmingham.

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Roger's family said he spent his final years in Devon, although his son Dan added: "We are many generations from Birmingham and our roots will always be there."

Roger is survived by Patricia, their three sons, and nine grandchildren. The family have shared the following funeral details: The funeral service will be held at Stokenham Church, Devon at 1:30 pm on January 31. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Cure Parkinson's Trust.