As PARK celebrates its 25-year anniversary, and in preparation for the next 25 years, James Hall and Andy Sharpe have acquired the PARK and Grow businesses from co-founder Frans Joziasse. Frans will continue as a full-time senior consultant and ambassador for PARK for at least the next 5 years, continuing to consult, teach and coach, whilst also supporting James and Andy in the business transition. US operations will remain unchanged, with Jay Peters continuing as USA Managing Director and Stephan Clambaneva as USA Partner and Director of Partnerships.

(L-R) Andy Sharpe, Frans Joziasse and James Hall

Founded in 1998 in the Netherlands and Germany, PARK builds and scales design and innovation capabilities for organisations and people that want to create a better tomorrow.

Since its foundation 25 years ago, PARK has established itself as a global thought leader in the fields of Design Management and Design Leadership, partnering with over 300 distinct clients across the globe including Mars, Airbus, GSK, DATEV, and Staples.

Through the PARK Academy (previously known as Grow), PARK has now educated more than 2000 students worldwide, established internal design academies for clients including LEGO, Dräger and Bosch and led the delivery of numerous local design council education programmes worldwide.

PARK comprises a team of Design & Innovation Leadership experts based in Europe and the USA. Backgrounds are diverse, with deep experience working across industries, geographies, and design disciplines.

Reflecting on the transition, Andy Sharpe said: “PARK is a business that both James and I originally encountered as clients whilst working at LEGO and Unilever respectively. The unique offer and expertise that PARK offered was unparalleled then as it is now, continually leading the field in the area of Design Leadership. We’re delighted to become the custodians of such a well-respected brand and look forward to working with our team and clients to deliver another 25 years of PARK magic.”

James Hall said: “I am delighted and humbled to partner with Andy to continue what the PARK founders Frans and Tim initiated with such foresight 25 years ago. Today, with our team’s design leadership expertise and experience, we can look forward to delivering many more successful projects that will create benefit and bring value to our clients and their stakeholders.”

Frans Joziasse said: “PARK is now a global brand in the growing field of Design Leadership. Organisations are facing many new challenges that represent exciting opportunities for the future of our consulting, education and coaching offers. Andy and James have been an integral part of our journey for the last 5-10 years and I feel very confident that they will continue to increase the impact of design for our current and future clients. I wish them great fortune and I am very happy to support them and continue to work as consultant, tutor and coach.”

____

For additional information please contact Andy Sharpe or James Hall.