Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Architects Populous announce organisational changes for global operations

Architects Populous announce organisational changes for global operations
March 22, 2024

Leading global sport and entertainment architecture and design practice Populous has today announced a number of leadership changes in its global and Asia-Pacific operations.

Earl Santee, one of the founders of the practice and Chair of the Global Board of Directors since 2020, has also been appointed as the firm’s Chief Executive - a dual role that will see him drive a unified leadership vision, aligning operational execution with strategic oversight.

In addition, Nicholas Reynolds, Senior Principal within Populous’ EMEA region, becomes Chief Global Strategy Officer. Reynolds has been at Populous for 27 years and has worked on a diverse portfolio of innovative and iconic projects around the world, specialising in the design and transformation of iconic major stadia and arenas. In his new role as Chief Global Strategy Officer, he is responsible for driving the evolution and growth of the practice through organic and inorganic initiatives in new and existing services lines.

Reporting to Reynolds are Mohit Mehta, Global Head of Sustainability and Jonathan Nelson, Global Head of Digital.

Mehta is responsible for driving the company’s position as a global sustainable design leader and overseeing Populous’ overall sustainability vision, strategy and compliance throughout the practice and the design process.

Supporting the creation and implementation of a regional sustainable design strategy, Mehta also serves as the sustainability lead for the Americas region.

Regional sustainability leaders have also been appointed in the EMEA (David Jarratt) and APAC (Kavita Gonsalves) regions.

Jonathan Nelson, Global Head of Digital, is responsible for driving the firm’s fully integrated digital innovation strategy, maximizing digital design capabilities and systems, and driving value from design and performance technologies across the global company.

The role serves as the primary interface between global and regional organisations to ensure optimal use of technological infrastructure. Regional digital leads have also been appointed: Barbara Vasilatou (EMEA), Jason Gardner (Americas) and Nathan Tobeck (APAC).

Commenting on the changes, Santee advised “as a practice we are 40 years old this year. Throughout that time, it is the talent of our teams and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that has continued to drive us forward.

“The recent investment into the company from Providence Equity Partners signals a new era of growth for Populous. I am proud to take on the role of Global CEO as we continue to innovate to better serve our clients and to continue our mission of designing the places where people love to be together.”

Reynolds added “as we take Populous into a new phase of growth, our philosophy of design excellence remains completely fundamental to who we are and the work we do. Alongside that, our commitment to sustainable design and digital innovation underpins our ability to lead our industry and create transformative venues, experiences and events for both clients and fans.

In APAC, as Populous continues to see growth across the diverse Asia Pacific region, the company has announced the appointment of Richard Breslin to a co-Managing Director role, joining longstanding APAC Managing Director, and one of the firms' founders, Paul Henry, in the role.

Breslin is based in Hong Kong, while Henry remains based at the company’s APAC based in Brisbane.

Images (from top): Earl Santee, Nicholas Reynolds, Mohit Mehta and Jonathan Nelson. Credit: Populous.

Related Articles

24th January 2024 - Populous named Principal Architect for redevelopment of Kolkata’s Eden Gardens

20th October 2023 - Populous announces private equity investment

2nd June 2023 - Populous share memorable moments to mark Suncorp Stadium’s 20 years

13th October 2022 - Bangladesh Cricket Board engages Populous to design new 50,000-capacity stadium

8th July 2022 - Populous collaborates with PWR to create the first elite sports facility in the metaverse

14th March 2022 - Populous named world’s most innovative company in architecture

28th January 2022 - Populous share design influences for the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing

29th October 2021 - Populous designs world first net zero carbon arena

2nd March 2021 - Architects Populous open new Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane

22nd December 2020 - Latest renderings released of Populous designed Hong Kong Kai Tak Sports Park

3rd November 2020 - Populous designs new Coffs Harbour community sports complex

5th December 2019 - Populous wins 2019 Australian Export Award

10th July 2019 - Populous-designed Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre recognised at ACT Architecture Awards

5th May 2019 - Populous sees Kai Tak Sports Park plan as setting a new multipurpose sport precinct benchmark

29th March 2019 - Populous designed baseball venue debuts in South Korea

1st October 2018 - Populous expands global footprint with Dubai office opening

8th October 2017 - Populous opens Japan office: reveals design for new baseball park

7th July 2017 - Populous explains how technology will transform future stadium experiences


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Ausfit

Ausfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business