30 November 2005
New Managing Director for Buro Happold
With effect from 1 December, 2005, Gavin Thompson becomes the managing director of Buro Happold. He takes over responsibility for this key position from Padraic Kelly who had held the post since 1996.
Gavin joined Buro Happold in 1988 and has worked for the practice in Europe, the Middle East and Far East on a range of international projects. In 2000 he became a partner, one of a new breed of younger engineers whose contribution to the growth of the business has been significant.
For the last three years he has led the practice’s education sector activities, which includes the engineering design of primary and secondary school buildings as well as those in further and higher education. He has driven the practice’s activities in the design of new City Academies, resulting in Buro Happold being appointed as the consulting engineer on 34 of the 50 Academies that have been completed or are in progress.
While continuing his project related design activities, Gavin has assumed increasing responsibility for the business direction of the firm, working alongside Padraic Kelly for the past three years to set the agenda for the future development of the practice.
Gavin becomes managing director as the practice approaches its 30th anniversary and at a time when it is poised for further growth and diversification. Buro Happold has now undertaken over 10,000 projects and staff numbers exceed 1,000 worldwide.
“Our strategy going forwards is to grow specific areas of our business, in addition to maintaining our position as a leader in building engineering. We plan to expand our infrastructure and environmental activities particularly in relation to masterplanning and urban design and have already begun to execute this programme. We also aim to grow our international operations which have historically been a cornerstone of our success. We will also develop our specialist consulting skills so that we continue to differentiate our services in the built environment at home and abroad, since our ability to quantify and resolve the unknown is the key factor that brings architects and clients to our door,” comments Gavin.
Padraic Kelly becomes the practice’s international director, working alongside our overseas directors to further develop Buro Happold business around the world. In addition, he is also business director of Happold Consulting, the recently launched management consultancy arm of Buro Happold.
ENDS
Further information from:
Elspeth Wales
Telephone +44 (0)1225 320627
Fax +44 (0)870 787 4148
Mobile +44 (0)7753 829630
Email elspeth.wales@burohappold.com
