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NORR Strengthens Its Global Leadership: John Baird Appointed to the Board

In a pivotal move signaling the commitment to enhance global operations and sustainable design practices, Brian Gerstmar, the President and CEO of the global architecture and engineering firm NORR, recently announced the appointment of John Baird, the firm's Managing Director in the UK, to its Board of Directors. This decision aligns with NORR's strategy to foster innovation and develop solutions that resonate with both clients and the wider community.

With an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Baird has navigated the UK practice through significant challenges, including Brexit and the pandemic. His leadership has proven instrumental in not only elevating the team’s performance but also in assisting clients to successfully traverse complexities in the built environment. As Gerstmar articulated, Baird's leadership perspective will be invaluable as NORR seeks to reconcile local practices with global best approaches, particularly in the realm of sustainable and low-carbon design.

Embracing a Holistic Approach to Design

Baird expressed his excitement regarding his new role, emphasizing the shared vision and values that align across client relationships and internal teams within NORR. As an employee-owned firm, NORR prides itself on a collective commitment to holistic design thinking, aimed at making a long-term positive impact within the built environment. He noted the evolving landscape where artificial intelligence, digital design technologies, and people work in synergy, fostering enhanced collaboration among designers, clients, and project stakeholders. Baird is eager to provide insights and substantial contributions to ongoing dialogues as NORR navigates these changing dynamics.

The UK practice has been an integral part of the NORR Group since 2010, contributing significantly to the firm's diverse portfolio, which includes projects ranging from heritage building refurbishments to innovative Passivhaus/Passive House designs. Under Baird's stewardship, the UK team has successfully executed a wide array of projects, including distilleries, spaceports, complex healthcare facilities, and educational environments designed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Additionally, the team has pioneered low-carbon energy generation centers, showcasing their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Sustaining Leadership While Catalyzing Growth

Baird will maintain his role as Managing Director in the UK, ensuring continuity in leadership while extending his insights across the firm to accelerate advancements in both project performance and corporate social responsibility. This dual role is seen as essential to NORR's strategy of maintaining a robust leadership structure while embracing a broader scope of operational insights.

The significance of this appointment is underscored by the composition of the NORR Group of Companies Board of Directors as of June 5, 2025. This leadership team comprises renowned professionals, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise that collectively guides NORR in achieving its mission, which encompasses a commitment to sustainable development goals.

About NORR

Founded in 1938, NORR operates as an employee-owned, fully integrated architecture and engineering firm with a professional team of 750 architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers. The firm collaborates across 12 market sectors spanning Canada, the US, UK, and UAE. NORR’s integrated approach combines design, technology, and human ingenuity to develop and implement strategies focused on sustainable development.

As we look forward, the appointment of John Baird to the NORR Board signifies not just a leadership enhancement but also a crucial step towards embracing innovative practices that will shape the future of architecture and engineering on a global scale.