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Victor De Baets has joined Woods Bagot to assist the architecture firm diversify its core service sectors in Asia.

Victor says the retail and mixed use sectors in China are starting to slow down due to over-development, changing demographics and consumer behaviour following a decade of development. He believes there is a real opportunity to reduce the risk from overexposure to the retail and mixed-use markets by leveraging signature laboratory projects such as SAHMRI and QSTP into the China market.

Noting that China’s rapidly growing middle class is demanding better healthcare and education, he said China is investing in the future by striving to become a smart economy with strong investment in education, healthcare and research. This is linked to growing investment in the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical sectors.

A Science+Technology leader, Victor brings to Woods Bagot over 25 years of experience in the design and delivery of projects in the research, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. In addition to successfully delivering a range of major projects in China, Australia, Europe and SE Asia for large PharmaBio MNCs such as Novo Nordisk, Hospira, CSL, Merck, Pfizer and GSK, he also brings significant experience to the design of laboratory projects.

Victor has spent much of his time in the China studios developing a Science+Technology Growth Strategy for Asia, reconnecting with his former PharmaBio clients and establishing partnerships with key players in these sectors in China.

Victor will divide his time between China and Australia and will work closely with Woods Bagot Global Director of Health and Science Georgia Singleton. He will also commence a tour of the Australian studios in the coming months and start the development of a Science+Technology Growth Strategy for Australia and New Zealand with a strong ‘Educational & Healthcare Angle’.

Victor explains that the success of a new sector growth strategy goes beyond merely winning projects to building up the specialist capability, local capacity and support systems to successfully and efficiently deliver these projects for clients.

Describing the move to Woods Bagot as refreshing in many ways, Victor said he loved the global studio concept, the great team of talented people, the studio locations, the creative design culture and most importantly, the management’s vision for the future.