Global lighting design consultancy Nulty has appointed Gary Thornton as its first ever director of education.
The newly created role will mean Thornton oversees professional development, technical excellence and sustainable working practices across the firm’s global studios.
The position, argued Nulty, is a first for the lighting design industry and reflected the practice’s “ongoing mission to build a team of informed and conscious designers, empowered to respond to the evolving demands of the built environment industry”.
As director of education, Thornton will lead both internal team development and external client engagement, implementing an education strategy that encompasses training, research and CPD programmes.
The role will also include a focus on early-career development initiatives, as Thornton will lead Nulty’s in-house apprenticeship scheme, student internship programme and outreach to schools and colleges.
Practice founder Paul Nulty said: “As lighting design now sits at the crossroads of creativity, technology, sociology, psychology, physiology and environmental design, Gary’s role is about recognising the complexity of our discipline and ensuring we are prepared to meet the industry’s ever-shifting challenges.”
Thornton himself added: “I have always approached my work with a sustainability bias and am excited for the opportunity to champion this at a global level. As the industry places greater emphasis on sustainability metrics and the built environment becomes ever more complex, it is imperative that we deliver creative and technical lighting design solutions while responding to evolving requirements and client expectations.”
