AD Associates (AD) has announced three new personnel have been added to its design team. All formerly with RPW Design (from left) Alessandro Tessari, Heather McLellan and Rick Snow have all taken up senior design positions at the London based experiential and spatial design studio.
AD is most known for its design projects within the hospitality and travel sectors. Therefore, the agency was the perfect career move for the three designers, all having extensive experience in this space.
Heather joins as a design associate. She is passionate about creating enduring, functional, and inviting environments. She’s an experienced designer with strong technical knowledge and creative skills in both spatial and furniture, fixtures and equipment design.
Heather has an extensive background in high-end hospitality and cruise design. She has successfully taken numerous small-and large-scale projects from concept to completion, from P&O Cruises, to across the Marriott, Hilton and IHG portfolios, both within the UK and internationally. In addition, she has worked on refurbishments, new builds, and listed buildings.
Heather said: “It is exciting to continue to design within the hospitality sector amongst a talented and growing team while at the same time working alongside some familiar faces! There are unique projects on the horizon for us, which is refreshing after a tough year for the industry.”
Heather will work together with other senior leaders to oversee our interior architectural project teams and the more expansive studio team to deliver projects.
Rick and Alessandro both join as senior designers. They will bring a wealth of creative knowledge to the team and work on projects from concept to completion.
Rick is an accomplished residential and hospitality designer. He has worked on projects for globally renowned brands like InterContinental and Four Seasons.
Rick has said: ‘It’s been a great privilege to join AD Associates and made to feel so welcome by the team. I look forward to bringing my many years of hotel design experience to AD’s extensive hospitality and travel knowledge to create new and exciting projects together – both at sea and on land!’
Alessandro adds:“I am delighted and enthusiastic about joining the team and looks forward to the exciting project pipeline.”
Not to mention that Alessandro said that was amazed by the view from the studio, and the opportunity to work from a desk overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral – a Christopher Wren masterpiece!”
Alessandro is an experienced senior designer and qualified architect belonging to both RIBA and ARB. In addition, he has extensive international hospitality and cruise design experience working on projects for global brands such as Marriott and P&O Cruises.
Chris Finch, the agency’s founder & CEO, said: "I am delighted three wonderful talents have joined the team. This is a proud and exciting moment for the studio as the world slowly recovers from the pandemic, a turbulent time for our industry and the sectors we serve. There’s no doubt, Heather, Rick and Alessandro will all bring something unique and special to our team and client projects.”
