Auckland Design Champion to leave council

Publish Date : 01 Oct 2019
Auckland Design Champion to leave council (1)

Auckland Council’s General Manager of the Auckland Design Office, Ludo Campbell-Reid, has resigned from his role and will depart on Friday, 4 October.

Ludo has served Auckland for 13 years – he was appointed Auckland City Council’s first ever Design Champion in 2006 following recommendations of The Mayoral Task Force on Urban Design.

Following amalgamation he was appointed by the Auckland Transition Agency to lead the Environmental Strategy and Policy Department. In 2014 he was appointed to General Manager (Design Champion) of the Auckland Design Office.

“Along with my family, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role. With the third term of Auckland Council coming to a close, it feels like a natural time for new adventures, both professionally and personally,” says Ludo.

“I have absolutely loved the last 13 years – it has been an incredible ride from the days of the pre-amalgamated city to the heady, fast-paced and exciting time of the new super city where we achieved many historic firsts.

“I’m tremendously proud of what the Auckland Design Office and the urban design programme has achieved and when I look back, I know that the city has been set on a new path and Auckland is in a much better position than when I found it. As an Urban Designer and City Planner nothing could be more satisfying.”

Auckland Council Chief Executive Stephen Town says Ludo leaves the council, and Auckland’s urban design transformed.

“Ludo has made an outstanding contribution to Tāmaki Makaurau and has had an enduring impact on the face and soul of the city. Few people can claim to have had the positive impact that Ludo has had and he leaves with a huge list of projects and initiatives developed and delivered under his leadership or alongside partners, and many more underway and in the pipeline.

“Ludo and his team delivered the first City Centre Masterplan in 2012. This plan set in motion the people-centered urban renaissance of the downtown area and seven years on, they are now out consulting with Aucklanders on its refresh. They have been instrumental in creating shared spaces throughout the city, they have played a key role in the redevelopment of Wynyard Quarter and Britomart, and they have made their mark on globally award-winning projects like Lightpath - Te Ara I Whiti.

“Ludo’s vision, global expertise, endless optimism and energy will be missed throughout the council and by our partners, and I wish him well.”

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