WATG welcomes Bhavya Kukrety as the new Managing Director of Asia Pacific

WORDS BY Pauline Brettell

July 13, 2026

WATG welcomes Bhavya Kukrety as the new Managing Director of Asia Pacific

WATG has announced the appointment of Bhavya Kukrety as the new Managing Director of Asia Pacific, where she will focus on strengthening WATG’s integrated approach across the region, embedding sustainability, ecology and resilience into the firm’s built-environment work…

Bhavya Kukrety portrait, courtesy of WATG.

Kukrety will draw on 22 years of experience in the industry where she has delivered sustainable, high-quality solutions to complex land planning problems. As Managing Director at Meinhardt Group, she led over 20 large-scale projects, from bid strategy to execution, and unified delivery teams across its urban development, infrastructure, sustainability, and digital verticals. She also served as Director of Urban Development, where she was responsible for urban infrastructure planning and design projects and smart city development initiatives.

David Moore, CEO of WATG, commented: “Bhavya brings a rare combination of strategic planning, sustainability, infrastructure and digital transformation expertise to WATG. Her experience aligns directly with the opportunities we see across Asia Pacific, where clients are seeking destinations and developments that are commercially resilient, environmentally responsible and deeply connected to local culture. We are delighted to welcome her to the firm as we continue to advance our ambitions in this important region.”

WATG & Wimberly Interiors Complete Lagen Island Resort, El Nido,

Image credit: WATG / Lagen Island Resort

Bhavya Kukrety, Managing Director of APAC, WATG said: “WATG has an extraordinary legacy in shaping some of the world’s most memorable hospitality and destination experiences. I am excited to build on that foundation across Asia Pacific, working with our clients and studios to create places that are sustainable, contextually grounded and responsive to the future of travel, lifestyle and urban living.”

Kukrety holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from IPS Academy and a master’s in urban and regional planning from the School of Planning and Architecture. She was recognized as a Top LinkedIn Voice 2024 for insights on urban infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation. She has been a keynote speaker and panelist, including SCULPT @ SMU (Singapore Management University), Future Cultures Hong Kong, RICS Smart Buildings Summit, and GITEX Smart Cities Forum.

Taking on this role, Kukrety will be delivering leadership to enhance design intelligence, project delivery, and long-term value, while keeping human experience, cultural context and place at the heart of every project.

Main image credit: WATG

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.

Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.

Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.

WATG welcomes Bhavya Kukrety as the new Managing Director of Asia Pacific

WATG has announced the appointment of Bhavya Kukrety as the new Managing Director of Asia Pacific, where she will focus on strengthening WATG’s integrated approach across the region, embedding sustainability, ecology and resilience into the firm’s built-environment work…

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