Claire Smith appointed Bath Office Director

Partner Claire Smith is the new Bath Office Director, succeeding Nick Nelson.

Claire is excited about taking on this new, important role, “What is really exciting for us as a business is that we work in 21 countries across the globe and all the different challenges that we face overseas we can bring to bear on our local projects, to the benefit of our local community. I like that ability to be both global and local.”

An experienced engineer with a passion for Bath and Bristol

Claire has 25 years’ experience in structural engineering, gained from working in both general consultancy and specialist fabric structures contracting. During her time in consultancy, she has worked on a wide variety of new build and refurbishment projects including educational, cultural and leisure buildings.

“I’m really pleased to be handing the Office Director role to Claire,” said Nick Nelson. “She has been leading the regional drive for us in developing our business in Bath and Bristol for some years, and deserves the recognition that this role brings.”

Claire has a degree in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment from Cambridge University. She was made a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2016 and became a Partner at Buro Happold in 2018.

She brings to the team experience of working within existing buildings, listed buildings and live sites.  She was project leader for the RIBA award-winning Lakeshore project in Bristol where modern interventions were installed, whilst retaining the character of the building.

Claire uses her practical, pragmatic site experience to ensure that concepts are developed into deliverable solutions that work with the client’s live site, with minimal disruption to the visitor experience.

Bath Quays North and South commercial business district is set to transform over the next five years, and I am delighted that we are part of it

Claire Smith, Bath office director

An exciting time for Buro Happold in the South West

Current Buro Happold Bath and Bristol projects include the Bristol Aero Collection, The Bath Abbey Footprint Project and Bath Western Riverside Redevelopment. Claire is proud that not only is the office located in the heart of the new Bath Quays North and South commercial business district, but that we are engineers for this project. “This area of Bath is set to transform over the next five years, and I am delighted that we are part of it,” said Claire.