Arup poaches Feilden Clegg Bradley partner

Arup has poached the former managing partner of Stirling Prize-winning architect Feilden Clegg Bradley to run its architecture practice.

Arup confirmed that Jo Wright, who has worked at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCB) for over 25 years and was made partner in 1995, will join its architecture business, Arup Associates, as practice leader in April.

Since being made partner at FCB, Wright has worked on a wide variety of award winning buildings including the Central Office for the National Trust, the BREEAM Outstanding Hive in Worcester, and the Leventis Gallery in Cyprus. Wright was managing partner between 2009-12 and has been partner in FCB’s Bath office since then.

In a statement Jo Wright said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Arup Associates team. I am looking forward to building on Arup’s rich architectural heritage and my own experience of innovative sustainability.” Wright left FCB in December last year.

A source close to the move said: “Wright’s appointment will be seen as a real coup for Arup’s architecture business.” FCB was joint winner of the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2008 for its work on the Accordia housing scheme in Cambridge.

Arup Associates employs 100 staff, making up a small proportion of the £1bn turnover global Arup group. It has been responsible for designing buildings including the Singapore National Stadium and Sports Hub, Pinewood Studios and Coventry University Engineering and Computing Building in recent years. Last year the business was named sports & leisure architect of the year by Building’s sister publication BD.

Nigel Tonks, leader of buildings, London for Arup, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jo to Arup Associates in her new role as practice leader. With her exceptional experience and tremendous passion for design and total architecture, I am confident Jo will support the growth of the business and ensure that Arup Associates continues to deliver award winning work for our clients.”

A spokesperson said Arup Associates’ current director, Declan O’Carroll would remain part of Arup Associates’ leadership, with his role changing to be business leader for the UKMEA region.

FCB founding partner Peter Clegg said: “Jo was one of the longest serving members of the practice. She was responsible for many of our most significant award winning buildings. We are sorry to see her go and wish her well in the very prestigious and interesting new job she has moved to.”