Populous Announces New CEO and Leadership Roles

Bruce Miller, currently Managing Director of the Americas region, becomes the new Global Chair and CEO.

Earl Santee, one of the founders of the practice and current CEO and Chair of the Global Board of Directors, transitions to Executive Chairman, remaining on the Board of Directors.

Christopher Lee  will assume new roles as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Global Head of Design. He will remain as Managing Director of the EMEA region.

Jonathan Mallie, leader of the firm’s New York office since 2015, becomes Managing Director of the Americas region. He will continue to serve as a Global Director of the Global Holdings Board and design lead on key projects.

Richard Breslin continues to lead the APAC region, from Co-Managing Director to APAC Managing Director. He joins the Board of Directors and will continue to serve as a Global Director of the Global Holdings Board.

Former Co-Managing Director of the APAC region, Paul Henry, steps down from his current Co-Managing Director role, but remains a key member of the APAC leadership team and Global Holdings Board.

The regional Managing Directors will report to Bruce Miller as CEO and Chair, as will other global leadership roles, which remain unchanged:

• Kevin Hagan – Chief Financial Officer
  
• Zachary Rudman – Chief Legal Officer
  
• Kristin Gibbar – Chief People Officer
• Nick Reynolds – Chief Global Strategy Officer

Commenting on the new appointments, Earl Santee, current CEO and Chair, says:

These key strategic global leadership appointments both reflect – and build upon – our success as a leading global design firm. For over 40 years our culture of innovation and entrepreneurship has driven us forward, and we now stand at over 1500 staff across 31 offices around the world, delivering a unique combination of services to our clients. This includes an increased investment in digital transformation of our operational systems, unique design technologies and thoughtful use of artificial intelligence.

As we move to our next phase of growth, both organically and through potential acquisitions and partnerships, I am confident our new leadership team will continue to drive our fundamental commitment to design excellence around the world.

Talking to Miller’s appointment as CEO and Chair, Santee comments:

Bruce Miller is a 36-year veteran of our practice. Having been Managing Director of our Americas region since 2019, he has overseen consistent growth, expanding the range of services we offer to clients in a period where the practice grew to 11 offices across the US and Canada. He has also personally led the design for iconic projects including Allianz Field, Target Field and Geodis Park. There is no one better prepared to take Populous forward.

Bruce Miller comments:

These are exciting times for Populous, and I am proud to take on the role of Global CEO and Chair. Our commitment to design excellence and innovation is at the heart of everything we do, empowering our designers and project teams around the world to deliver unique and visionary solutions for our clients globally.

Jonathan Mallie, Christopher Lee and Richard Breslin will provide continued leadership and design inspiration in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions respectively. I look forward to leading our talented global and regional teams who continue to be the best at designing the places where people love to be together.

Reflecting on the creation of the Vice Chair and Global Head of Design roles, Earl Santee adds:

Christopher Lee has also driven expansion across geographies and service offerings as Managing Director of our EMEA region since 2015. As design lead for many of our most influential projects, he is ideally placed to reinforce our commitment to design quality in the new role of Global Head of Design – both for Populous and any future acquisitions. His global experience and perspective will also bring huge benefit in his role as Vice Chair of the practice.