Woods Bagot announces the appointment of Nik Karalis as their new Group Managing Director and CEO.
A designer and masterplanner, who has been with Woods Bagot for more than 20 years, Karalis will work with his partners to develop a new vision for the practice during the coming months, and drive an elevated delivery of services across Woods Bagot’s sectors and disciplines in 16 studios over five regions.
According to Karalis, he is taking on this role at a time when Woods Bagot’s international profile has entered a new stage in its development. More than 60 per cent of the company’s revenue comes from projects outside Australia including the design of award-winning International Renewable Energy Agency HQ in Abu Dhabi and the renovation of Ossipoff’s historic IBM building in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A registered Architect in Victoria, and an internationally-recognised designer, Karalis has previously lived and worked in Europe and Asia as well as Australia and has collaborated closely with Woods Bagot design teams on projects in all parts of the world. This experience has given Karalis a strong understanding of the global architectural landscape combined with sound insight into the unique local requirements of clients.
As Global Product Leader, Karalis led the rebranding of the practice in 2006 and was instrumental in the inception of ‘Public’, Woods Bagot's research brand, and a commitment to design intelligence and the Global Studio model.
Outgoing Group Managing Director and recently-appointed Executive Chairman Ross Donaldson said Karalis’s proven achievements and future vision for Woods Bagot will stand the company in excellent stead.
Karalis' key projects include Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre; ivy, Sydney; National Australia Bank (NAB) Docklands; China Southern Airport City, Guangzhou, China; Yota Headquarters, St Petersburg, Russia; Shijiazhuang International Exhibition and Convention Centre, China; International Renewable Energy Agency HQ, Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand.
