Hassell has announced the internal promotion of nine of its design professionals into senior positions as the company looks to reinforce its position at the forefront of strategic intelligence and creative design.

Hassell Managing Director, Steve Coster, says the rotation of leadership roles reflects the firm’s objectives to develop and empower talent to deliver great design and unlock value for clients.

“By combining our firm-wide commitment to fostering creativity and knowledge leadership with deep local market connection through our nine studios we can deliver design outcomes that are loved by clients and communities locally and recognised internationally for their design quality,” he says.

“These new promotions of some of our exceptional talent help ensure we have a strong network of complementary leaders in place across our group of international studios. Refreshing our network brings together design leaders, experts in certain sectors and those with  deep knowledge of key markets and client relationships in new ways to unlock value for both our clients and our firm.”

Please find the full list of promotions below.

Caroline Diesner, Australian Regional Leader

An award-winning architect, Caroline is a Principal and Board Director for Hassell, holds an executive MBA and brings 20 years of experience working across Asia and Australia to her new role as Australian Regional Leader, overseeing our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney studios. With an international, multi-disciplinary approach to design, Diesner has built a reputation for empowering teams to think diversely to reach the best result. “I’m passionate about promoting the value of design to a broader audience and I believe we can really make a difference,” she says. “The people at Hassell excel at what they do and my priority is to enable them to do what they do best.”

Natalie Busch, Managing Principal (Perth)

Natalie combines extensive experience in urban and landscape design and architecture to create inspirational projects with strong social and environmental foundations. An energetic, collaborative designer Natalie sits on Western Australia’s Design Review Panel and has been instrumental in bringing some of Perth’s most iconic buildings to life, including the award-winning Fiona Stanley Hospital. “Diversity - making sure there are representative voices from different levels of experience, cultural backgrounds or genders is one of my passions,” she says. “I truly believe that diverse thought creates much better outcomes and better places – places people love.”

Richard Mullane, Managing Principal (Melbourne)

Returning to Australia after 13 years in Shanghai and San Francisco, Mullane divides his time between growing Hassell’s urban design work in Melbourne and projects in California for the North Bayshore Master Plan project. “With my experience in San Francisco one of my key interests is sharing my knowledge on the innovation economy,” he says. “I’m also looking forward to being part of the revitalisation of inner-city Melbourne and contributing to projects that help build on the city’s long-term resilience.”

Peter Morley, Managing Principal (Hong Kong)

An award-winning architect and specialist in transport infrastructure, Peter has an exceptional talent for transforming the everyday into the extraordinary. A calm, analytical manner combined with an innate sense of curiosity informs Morley’s design approach. His international experience ranges from major rail projects in China and Australia to leading design teams on London’s Crossrail. 

Ingrid Bakker, Commercial and Workplace Sector Leader

Recently named a Fellow by the Australian Institute of Architects, Ingrid’s extensive career with Hassell has seen her in leadership roles spanning Board Director, Regional Leader Australia and Managing Principal of the Melbourne studio. Bakker’s new role as co-leader of Hassell’s Commercial and Workplace Sector draws on her deep knowledge of working across architecture, interiors and workplace design. “I’m very excited about transitioning into a more client-centred role,” she says. “My main focus will be on sharing our evidence-based research to really explore what great workplaces, buildings and precincts need to look like in a post-pandemic world.”

Domino Risch, Commercial and Workplace Sector Leader

“At a global level right now, the role of the workplace has never been more topical and relevant,” says Domino,who is the new co-leader, with Ingrid Bakker, for Hassell’s Commercial and Workplace Sector. “Great workplaces reflect the aspirations of the people using them. That's where Hassell excels - in interpreting and authentically reflecting our client's brand, values and vision and designing places that inspire and bring joy - and even make people a little bit healthier.”

Julian Gitsham, Education and Science Sector Leader

A Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts and RIBA-registered architect, Gitsham’s exceptional body of work spans higher education, arts and culture, workplace and residential development. “I’m excited about linking the various parts of the business from our research teams to interiors and architecture and bringing out their best,” he says.

Adam Davies, Education and Science Sector Leader

Principal and now Sector Leader with Julian Gitsham of Education and Science, Adam is a visionary urbanist whose award-winning work spans from the redevelopment of Brisbane’s Herston Quarter to the Queensland University of Technology, where he led The Campus to Country strategy. A key focus for Adam in 2022 is the future of the university campus. “How do we get people together to enrich the campus experience and why is that valuable? It’s a critical element for universities right now as they look to bring students back to campus-based learning.”

 Jeremy Schluter, Residential Sector Leader

Jeremy Schluter is Hassell’s new Residential Sector Leader in partnership with Peter Lee. A collaborative designer with extensive experience in delivering complex mixed-use residential buildings and precincts, Jeremy has a genuine enthusiasm for the vitality of cities and creating world-class places people love. “Delivering homes for people, beyond mere apartments, has never been more important,” he says. “I’m passionate about creating the next generation of apartments to truly realise the future of quality urban living.”

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