Roger’s passion for, and commitment to, Co-Design started with his leadership of a private sector consortium bidding for a PFI (PPP) project in the UK. The project required the design, build and part operation (Hard FM) of nine new Children’s homes and the upgrade of five Family Support Centres within Hertfordshire where the local Council was taking the role of Foster Parent. During the bid phase Roger requested that the consortium (Young Herts) consult with some of the children (of all ages) who would be the ultimate occupants and users of the homes. This request was denied by the Council. Young Herts then sought out a group of former children's home consumers to give the design team some first-hand guidance.

As part of the Consortium's bid proposal, Young Herts offered that, if successful, they would take the children away on an adventure activity weekend on the basis that there was the opportunity to refine their design proposals through a series of co-design workshops. The outcomes were transformational; the children were empowered, engaged and took ownership of the design solutions. The Young Herts Consortium subsequently won the stakeholder engagement award at the national annual PFI Awards Ceremony.