Global architecture, planning and design practice CallisonRTKL (CRTKL) has appointed Ramsay Ritchie as Associate Principal – Hospitality Practice Lead, reinforcing its ambitions to expand its London portfolio.

Prior to joining CRTKL, Ritchie worked as a Director at Reardonsmith Architects and a Lead Consultant for Grange Hotels, taking charge of notable projects like The Savoy, Four Seasons Baku and Regent Porto Montenegro in the UK and Europe. The industry veteran brings nearly 30 years of experience to the firm, during which he has built strong relationships with major players in hotel development and investment.

In his new position as Hospitality Practice Lead, Ritchie will work closely with the practice’s EMEA Managing Principal Todd Lundgren, overseeing its hospitality portfolio in London with the intention of creating a central offer that supports the business’s architectural and cultural design offer in the mixed-use space, as well as bringing new solutions forward for the repositioning of commercial and retail assets.

Ritchie comments: “With CRTKL’s exemplar capabilities within international resorts, interior design and residential-led healthcare, it is perfectly placed to execute the ambitions of hotel owners and operators that are ready to move beyond recovery and begin reactivating the industry with fresh perspectives. Having both a regional UK and European presence makes CRTKL primed for endless opportunities that I look forward to being a part of. This is an exciting next step in my career and I look forward to building on the firm’s existing strengths and making a mark on the fabric of London’s hospitality sector.”

Lundgren adds: “Ramsay’s experience in London will make him an integral part of our hospitality team, bringing an additional offer to our clients. His understanding of what the customer needs in this evolving marketplace will add a unique perspective to our projects. The hospitality sector is certainly not frozen, with many repurposing and revisiting assets by looking to technological integration and mixed-use intervention.

“Despite the ongoing pandemic, last year was CRTKL’s strongest year in hospitality in the last decade. With Ramsay in the team, we only see this trajectory growing even stronger as we look to guide the resurgence of London hotels and seize the new opportunities that are opening up more broadly in the UK and Europe.”