Prolific Pears in Gensler leadership fold

Article posted by Coliseum, March 25^th, 2026

Image: Gensler

The global design and architecture firm Gensler have announced the appointment of Elliott Pears as the Regional Sports Leader for Asia Pacific and the Middle East (APME).

‘Gensler’ stated that recognized globally for its impact across architecture and design the firm continues to expand its leadership platform through strategic appointments in the key growth regions.

San Francisco (US)-based Gensler is a global architecture, design and planning firm with 57 locations across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Everything they do is guided by their mission: To create a better world through the power of design. Gensler believes the power of design can spark positive change and create a future that promotes equity, resilience and wellbeing for everyone.

Observed Lisa Munao, Managing Director (MD), Gensler Australia, “Elliott brings a rare combination of global expertise and local insight. His leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver sports and entertainment venues that engage the communities and create lasting value.”

An Australian-born architect, Pears returns home to lead the growth of the regional Sports and Entertainment Practice reinforcing Gensler’s long-term commitment to one of the world’s most dynamic sports and entertainment markets.

Enthused Pears, “Returning to Australia and working with the clients across APME is both exciting and meaningful. This region has a deep passion for sport and entertainment and a growing ambition to deliver the venues that enhance fan engagement and contribute to the long-term community value. I’m excited to combine global insight with the local collaboration to shape environments that perform on every level.”

‘Gensler’ further stated that across Asia Pacific and the Middle East the sports and entertainment infrastructure is entering a new phase of investment and reinvention. In India, the public and private capital is driving upgrades to legacy stadiums and the development of flexible, multisport, entertainment-ready venues. In China and Southeast Asia, basketball and football are fueling demand for the high-performance arenas and advanced training facilities. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the sports precincts are increasingly designed as anchors for tourism and mixed-use development. This regional momentum aligns closely with Gensler’s approach to sports and entertainment design, integrating venue, City, and experience thinking to create spaces that perform year-round, reflect the local culture and support the broader economic and community objectives.

Remarked Ryan Sickman, Global Leader, Gensler Sports Practice, “The APME represents one of the most compelling growth frontiers for sport globally. Expanding our leadership platform into the region is a deliberate step in strengthening our global network. Elliott’s ability to bridge creative vision and technical execution positions us to accelerate growth across the APME and deliver the high-performance environments our clients expect.”

Gensler’s Sports and Entertainment Practice has established itself as a global leader shaping the high-performance venues that engage the communities and drive economic and cultural impact. From the internationally recognized stadiums and arenas including the 42,000-seat Al-Ahly Stadium in Egypt, the 20,356-Capital One Arena and the 20,000-capacity Crypto.com Arena in the United States to regional projects such as the Melbourne Park Visioning in Australia and the12,000-capacity Spark Arena renovations in Auckland, New Zealand, the firm brings world-class expertise to both the global and the local markets. Complementing its sports portfolio Gensler is also redefining the live entertainment spaces. Elliott has led high-profile projects such as Live Nation’s 18,500-seat Lima Arena in Peru and the Charlotte Music Venue in the United States blending design and technology to create spaces that perform year-round and resonate with the local audiences.

Opined Theresa Sheils, Co-Regional Managing Principal, Gensler APME, “Sport plays an outsized role in shaping culture and economic vitality across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. “Elliott’s appointment reinforces our long-term commitment to expanding the sports practice in the region enabling us to deliver precinct-scale projects that go beyond the gameday and create lasting value for the athletes, the fans and the communities alike.”

With more than 15 years of experience delivering complex stadiums, arenas and large-scale masterplans globally, Pears has overseen projects across all five major US sports leagues as well as the major European football leagues bringing that expertise home to Australia. Licensed in both the United States and Australia he combines design leadership with strategic insight ensuring the sports and the entertainment venues generate lasting cultural, social and commercial value.

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