Host of promotions at Gillespies

We are delighted to announce the promotion of eight members of staff across the practice as part of our annual round of promotions.

The internal promotions see Natalia Uribe, who joined Gillespies from Benoy, promoted to Associate Partner. Since joining the London studio in 2018, Natalia has significantly grown Gillespies’ urban design team and masterplanning portfolio and is currently leading a number of regional and large-scale masterplans in the Middle East, helping to cement Gillespies reputation as a leader in masterplanning and landscape design in this region.

Ryan Coghlan has been promoted to Associate in acknowledgement of his exceptional leadership skills and his technical expertise in public realm design. Ryan has been instrumental in the design of innovative green streets and the central park at Elephant Park, a masterplan for the regeneration of the Heygate Estate in Elephant and Castle, south London, into a pioneering mixed-use scheme set within 11 acres of significantly enhanced public realm for leading client Lendlease.

Maria Aksarina has been promoted to Principal Urban Designer in acknowledgement of her extensive knowledge and expertise in urban design and masterplanning. She will support the leadership team in managing international projects and growing the discipline both in the UK and internationally.

Other promotions in London include Joana Quintas and Giacomo Guzzon, who have both been promoted to Senior Landscape Architects. Giacomo has also become Head of Planting Design, in recognition of his expertise in planting design and the practice's commitment to promoting responsible and biodiverse design within the practice.

In Manchester, Chris Wong has been made an Associate and will support the management team in Manchester with an expanding portfolio of work, focusing on garden cities, estate and town centre regeneration. Chris has been key to the successful delivery of a vision for St Cuthbert’s Garden Village for Carlisle Council, as well as a number of estate regeneration projects in the northwest of England.

In Leeds, Jonathan Mcloughlin has been appointed to the newly created role of Partnership Zoo & Leisure Destination Specialist, in recognition of his continued expertise and interest in Zoo design. Jonathan is currently leading the designs of Chester Zoo Grasslands, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and West Midlands Safari Park. In this new role, Jonathan will continue to develop Gillespies' presence in this important sector.

Kara Heald has been made a Principal Landscape Architect, in recognition of her new leadership of a number of complex construction and landscape planning projects. She is currently leading Wellington Place in Leeds, Newcastle University, Kingdom Park in Kirkcaldy implementation projects, and National Grid VIP and Chatsworth Settlement Trustee LVIA projects.

Jim Diggle, Managing Partner at Gillespies, commented: “Each of these talented individuals has contributed to our success as a business. These promotions are a recognition of our desire both to reward skill and talent and to grow the Practice and our management team effectively. We wish them continued success in their careers”

Image [Clockwise] Natalia Uribe, Ryan Coghlan, Chris Wong, Kara Heald, Maria Aksarina, Jonathan Mcloughlin, Joana Quintas and Giacomo Guzzon