In Conversation: Paul Nulty & Martin Klaasen
Following the news of Nulty’s acquisition of Klaasen Lighting Design, arc caught up with Paul Nulty and Martin Klaasen for an exclusive chat about the deal, how it came to be, and what the future now holds for both brands going forward.
How did the two of you first meet?
Paul Nulty (PN): We had crossed paths at industry events, but it wasn’t until about five years ago that we had our first real conversation. The relationship developed from there, primarily due to our shared passion for light. Martin and I are completely aligned when it comes to the way that lighting design should be done and the value that lighting designers bring to a project.
When and how did the topic of acquisition come about?
Martin Klaasen (MK): It might surprise a few people to hear that I am 70, so I have been ruminating over the future of Klaasen for a while. I love what I do and have no plans to stop anytime soon, but getting a succession plan in place had been at the back of my mind for a few years. The most important thing for me was finding a home for my loyal team, some of which have been with me for nearly 17 years. Merging with an architecture practice or engineering firm never felt like the right move. What I had in mind was a like-minded practice that shared Klaasen’s values – hence Nulty came into the picture, and Paul and I started talking.
What was it about Klaasen that appealed? Were you specifically looking to expand into the Southeast Asia / Australian market?
PN: The Klaasen brand comes with a fantastic pedigree of projects and is preloaded with a wealth of experience in the Asia-Pacific market. We obviously gave the whole thing a great deal of consideration, but in the end the decision felt like the logical next step. It allows us to solidify our presence in Asia and bring additional resource into the practice – the added benefit being that this design talent has been nurtured by Martin.
How were the negotiations?
MK: The negotiations were surprisingly smooth because I made a conscious decision not to put up any barriers. We were clear about what we wanted and genuinely appreciative about what the other party could offer.
PN: There are not many instances of lighting design practices coming together, so in many ways, we were making it up as we went along. The negotiations were helped by the fact that we see this as the beginning of a new beginning – we came together because of our mutual love of lighting design, and because of this, the partnership makes us stronger.
What added benefits will the acquisition bring both to Nulty as a whole, and the Klaasen team?
PN: The end result is undeniably better than the sum of its parts. Klaasen amplifies Nulty’s international profile and design capabilities in Asia and Europe. Conversely, Nulty gives Klaasen the scope to enhance its processes and evolve as part of a global brand.
MK: The collaboration was a no brainer because it works both ways. I have always admired Nulty from afar, particularly Paul’s business acumen and how he has harnessed this to build the company on the global stage, while ensuring the company stays true to its original values. This was a key motivator for me, as I want my team to achieve great things in a supportive and caring environment.
How does Klaasen fit within the wider Nulty brand?
PN: As we knit the two companies together, our priority is creating the best space for our team to flourish. When designers are engaged and empowered, they produce their best work – it’s a simple equation. Martin and I know that we’re only as good as the people we employ, so we are singularly focused on building an inspiring and collaborative culture as we integrate Klaasen into the wider Nulty family.
How has the integration process been? Has it impacted on the workload of the Klaasen team? How are both they and the wider Nulty team adjusting?
PN: We had a lot of conversations about the integration process early on to prepare everyone for the transition. Our Managing Partners Mark [Vowles] and Ellie [Coombs] went out to Singapore to get to know the team and bring them up to speed on our philosophy and processes. Jordan [Faust], who now heads up our Nulty Lisbon studio, also worked closely with the team in London to put in place a plan for Europe. We wanted the integration process to be seamless but incremental, so while there will be modifications behind the scenes, there won’t be any disruptions or changes to the service our clients have come to rely on.
MK: My team is like a small family, so I was as open as I could be about the plans for the transition. It was important to me that we were transparent about our strategy and that there were no surprises or bumps along the road.
How will the Klassen and Nulty teams collaborate going forward?
MK: Nulty and Klaasen have been good friends over the last few years, which has been built on trust and mutual respect and we are confident that this will stand us in good stead. I can’t tell you exactly where we are going, but we are clear about the direction of travel, and it’s that 1 + 1 adds up to a great deal more than two.
PN: We’ve always prided ourselves on being an energising force in the industry, taking whatever direction that we want, and making up our own rules. We have got big plans for the next 12 months, and now that we have strength in depth and the right people around us to facilitate boundary-breaking design and thought-provoking ideas, the future is looking bright.
What is next for you both?
MK: Paul jokingly describes me as the grandad of the company! It’s a term I like, because being a grandparent is about having the best of both worlds. I’ll continue to oversee the team in Singapore and nurture client relationships in the region, but I’ll also be able to redirect some of my energy to the part of my role that gives me joy – mentoring designers.
PN: Nulty is a global organisation that values local cultures, so we will be tapping into Klaasen’s knowledge of the regions central to our expansion plans. The key focus will be knowledge sharing, as this is something that is personal to Martin and inherent to the Nulty movement. You can expect to see much more of this as we harness our collective expertise to facilitate further growth.
