Sonja Stockmarr becomes Commercial Director at Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. With her professional background and international experience in management and business, she will help develop and position the collective, which today includes Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, STED and Kjaer & Richter, on the international market.

Less than two months ago, Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects presented their new CEO, Frants Nielsen. Now the company is further expanding its leadership team with the appointment of Sonja Stockmarr. She will be responsible for leading the company's commercial strategy in Denmark and helping to expand the collective internationally and include future firms.

"We must dare to make ambitious strategic decisions if we are to position ourselves in the international market. My focus is therefore not only on where we are today, but where we are going, and with more than 100 years of experience, I know that we already have a fantastic foundation," says Sonja Stockmarr.

Increased focus on the international market

In 2021, the private equity fund Findos GmbH became part of Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects ownership group. Since then, more firms have joined the community: in 2021 STED was included, and in 2022 Kjaer & Richter joined. 

‘The private equity fund has great ambitions for our development, where both expansion and internationalisation are key objectives. I look forward to helping realise these goals in collaboration with my colleagues. We need to define an ambitious strategy that secures our position, creates visibility and develops our business so that we are stronger both nationally and internationally,’ says Sonja Stockmarr. 

Strengthening the business and international development

Sonja Stockmarr comes from a position as Global Design Director at Henning Larsen, where she took part in the integration with Ramboll. This included strategy development and positioning of Henning Larsen's global landscape architecture. From 1 October 2024, Sonja will take up the newly created position as Commercial Director, where she - in addition to strengthening the international position - will also ensure synergy between existing and new design offices in the collective.

‘Sonja brings with her a sharp profile. Her international experience and cultural understanding of strategic development, markets and people make her the perfect match for our collective. She is also the right person to ensure that we can best include future practices in the community,’ says Frants Nielsen, CEO of Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects.

On 7-9 October, Sonja will attend EXPO Real with partner Anne Møller Sørensen and CEO Frants Nielsen. This is a great opportunity to connect with both new and established contacts, fostering conversations about shared development and the architecture of the future.