Urban design director joins Marrons team

Planning, design and development consultancy Marrons has expanded its growing Bristol team with the appointment of masterplanning and urban design director Maria Vierma.

Throughout her career, Vierma has worked with a range of public and private sector clients on a variety of urban design, regeneration and masterplanning projects, with particular experience working on high-calibre, creative and technically-challenging commissions on sites across the country.

With more than 14 years’ experience creating and designing public spaces that work aesthetically, socially and economically, she has joined Marrons from Tetra Tech Europe, where she was an urban design director. Prior to this, she spent more than 11 years in Barton Willmore’s urban design team.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have joined Marrons. I was really attracted to the consultancy’s collaborative approach to working and I was keen to be part of a practice that prioritises high-quality design. Working alongside some of the leading private and public sector clients, I am keen to develop our reputation in the South West market and raise the profile of our excellent masterplanning service in the region.”

In the past 12 months, the Bristol team has welcomed partner Luke Hillson to head up the consultancy’s urban design and masterplanning function, Tom Macklen to head up its architecture service, and associate urban designer Sarah Evans.

Brian Mullin, partner and head of Marrons, said: “Maria has a first-class reputation for design expertise in the development industry, and we are excited to welcome her to Marrons. She brings with her creativity and versatility.

“She will be leading on work on urban extensions, town-centre regeneration and mixed-use developments, and we will benefit from her experience of managing large multi-disciplinary teams. She will be invaluable to our masterplanning offer and the continued delivery of positive outcomes for our clients.”