Global architecture and interior design practice Woods Bagot announces the appointment of Sarah Kay to the position of CEO, marking the next step in the firm’s journey towards total place design.

A member of the Woods Bagot leadership group for 25 years and a director for 15 years, Kay is a highly respected architect with an extensive international career spanning North America, Australia and the UK that saw her lead and design high-profile projects and integrated precincts across commercial, transport, residential and culture sectors.

Most recently, she has led Woods Bagot’s Sydney studio, a role she has also held in New York. As CEO, Kay’s expansive business acumen will continue to broaden Woods Bagot’s impact through its diverse specialist brands such as ERA-Co, Customs Bureau, and sustainability consulting business Global Impact Group (GIG). 

“I feel compelled as an architect, and now as a CEO, to have a positive impact through our work,” she says.

“As architects and place designers, we are perfectly positioned to have a positive influence on the world ahead of us. It is, in fact, our responsibility to have a leading voice in shaping our cities and our places with a long-term, sustainable and socially responsible outlook. Woods Bagot is inherently collaborative, and I am excited and buoyed by the future that we can achieve by working together across our diverse skills and services within our industry.” 

Kay succeeds Nik Karalis, who was appointed CEO of Woods Bagot in 2015. Under Karalis’ guidance, Woods Bagot’s global net revenue increased by 33% and saw significant growth across the firm’s Transport, Cities and Places, Civic and Events, Health, Workplace, and Education and Science sectors. Some of the projects completed during his tenure include The Londoner, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Collins Arch, The Amberly, Funan, IRENA Headquarters and Masdar City Square (MC2), and Minthis Hills.

“This is an incredible moment in our history. Driven to reinforce our shared excellence by amplifying the power of design, Sarah’s global career, strategic mindset, business leadership, board experience, and focus on cultural inclusivity make her an incredible leader capable of driving the next chapter of Woods Bagot forward,” Karalis says.

Image: Supplied