HDR names Simon Dormer as sustainability leader for Australia

Global architecture, engineering, and planning firm HDR has appointed Simon Dormer as the new leader of its Sustainability practice in Australia.

In his new role, Dormer will lead the firm’s team of sustainability experts nationally, and work closely with HDR’s architecture and engineering teams to drive a sustainable design culture across the firm.

Dormer is also committed to embedding three R’s – Reconciliation, Resiliency and Regeneration – more firmly within the firm. He will collaborate with Indigenous consultants to bring First Nations knowledge, spirituality and biophilic design to the forefront of the firm’s work.

“I am looking forward to working with the team at HDR to build strong communities and grow our sustainability footprint for our business, our clients, our staff and our planet. For me, sustainability is a holistic practice and consideration of upstream and downstream environmental, social and economic impacts is critical to the success of any entity – we must be the change we wish to see,” said Dormer.

Dormer brings around two decades of experience to the US-headquartered firm, with a focus on sustainability design, emissions reporting and stakeholder engagement. His track record spans a multitude of markets and sectors, ranging from energy, water, waste and climate change across architecture, local government, corporate, retail and healthcare.

Cate Cowlishaw, Managing Principal of Architecture at HDR, said: “Simon’s holistic approach to sustainability and transdisciplinary thinking across architecture, local government and corporate sectors will unlock unrealised sustainability potential across the practice.”

Globally, HDR has more than 11,000 employees in more than 200 locations.