Later living community developer Inspired Villages has appointed Sonia Parol as design director to drive innovation, sustainability and resident wellbeing.
Parol joins the Legal & General-owned business with over 15 years of experience in architecture, having worked at firms such as Urban Edge Architecture and rg+p.
Her initial focus will be on developing design details for Inspired Villages’ recently permitted and pipeline schemes, including sites in Tunbridge Wells, Bedfordshire and Surrey.
The company operates six retirement villages across the year and aims to deliver ten new villages a year.
Inspired Villages said its ambitious plans means “practicality and quality of internal spaces with flexibility to adapt to residents’ changing needs will be a key responsibility” for Parol.
“Sonia’s appointment is a fantastic addition to the team and her vision and experience in creating sustainable retirement communities both in the UK and Australia will be a great asset in helping us to redefine the later living experience in this country,” added development director Neal Dale.
Parol said: “I have a huge passion for the retirement sector. My journey with this sector started in Australia and ever since coming back to the UK I have developed design ideas for later living solutions that focus on improving people’s lives.”
Parol is the latest appointment for Inspired Villages following Sharon Badelek, who joined as chief financial officer in November.
Inspired has grown from a team of 25 to around 300 employees since its establishment in 2017, with capital commitments of £500m across its later living developments.
