Architecture Firm Populous Names Global, Regional Sustainability Leaders: 4 Things to Know

Populous has hired Mohit Mehta as global head of sustainability, the global architecture and design firm company has disclosed. Regional sustainability leaders -- including David Jarratt for EMEA and Kavita Gonsalves and APAC regions.

Here are four things to know about the sustainability executives, and the overall Populous sustainability strategy.

1. Business Scope and Scale: Populous, founded in 1983, is a global design firm that focuses heavily on pubic gathering spaces, stadiums, concert venues. The company has dual headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, United States; London, United Kingdom; and Brisbane, Australia.

2. Sustainability Strategy: Populous vowed to complete a carbon footprint assessment for its Scope 1 and Scope 2, and selected Scope 3 emissions, by the end of 2023. We don't know if the company has announced the results of that assessment.

Longer term, populous is committed to delivering zero carbon projects by 2030. By that year, the company will also expand firmwide carbon neutrality to account for all applicable scope 3 emissions, according to the Populous website.

3. Sustainability Executives: New Global Head of Sustainability Mohit Mehta reports to Nicholas Reynolds, who has been promoted to chief global strategy officer.

Mehta previously was principal at ME Engineers. Earlier, he held key sustainability positions at NORESCO and BNIM Architects. Mehta now oversees the Populous "sustainability vision, strategy and compliance throughout the practice and the design process," the company said. He will also support the the creation and implementation of a regional sustainable design strategy, Mehta also serves as the sustainability lead for the Americas region.

Regional sustainability leaders have also been appointed in the EMEA (David Jarratt) and APAC (Kavita Gonsalves) regions. Jarratt previously was head of sustainability at Ryder Architecture. Earlier, he held key posts at Atelier Ten, AECOM, WSP and Stantec. Gonsalves previously held key posts at the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Studio THI, and Gensler, among other organizations.

4. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement about multiple executive updates, Chief Global Strategy Officer Nicholas Reynolds said: “As we take Populous into a new phase of growth, our philosophy of design excellence remains completely fundamental to who we are and the work we do. Alongside that, our commitment to sustainable design and digital innovation underpins our ability to lead our industry and create transformative venues, experiences and events for both clients and fans."

Populous Sustainability Executives: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.