leadership team
DEBBIE FLEVOTOMOU (CEO & HEAD OF DESIGN - ARCHITECT)
Debbie Flevotomou is an esteemed architect and CEO, a renowned public speaker, a board member for IKAR Arabia Investment Group Limited, Board Vice-President for IKAR GCC and an accomplished entrepreneur. She is the visionary founder of Debbie Flevotomou Architects (DFA), an architectural firm dedicated to championing designs rooted in nature and human well-being. Debbie’s journey as an educator and public speaker began in 2011, and her influence has since extended from London to Casablanca, New York, Mexico, and the UAE.
In her capacity as an educator, Debbie holds the esteemed position of Professor of Design at Hult International Business School. She serves as a lecturer for the Master’s degree program at Arts University in Bournemouth and as a visiting tutor at Southbank University. Notably, Debbie has recently been honored with the Industry Patron title by AUB Online Master Course, a testament to her commitment to fostering the growth and development of emerging talent in the field of architecture.
Debbie is actively engaged in collaborative efforts with the architectural programs at the American University in Dubai and the London Southbank University, further solidifying her role as a mentor and influencer within the academic and professional realms. Her dedication to promoting innovative design concepts and fostering the next generation of architects underscores her multifaceted contributions to the field.
Debbie's entrepreneurial journey includes founding and developing three successful companies without significant financial backing. Her inclusive approach to building teams at DFA represents diversity, drawing talent from across the globe.
Her visionary approach centers on inspiring teams, attracting clients, and developing future-focused strategies. Debbie's inclusive leadership style, combined with a strong work ethic and positive energy, makes her a transformational leader.
Debbie has also chaired RIBA-SLSA for 6 consecutive years and then was elected RIBA councillor for a further 3 consecutive years.
RICHARD FLEMING (senior director - ARCHITECT)
Richard Fleming, is the US partner of the firm. With over 25 years in architecture, he has worked on projects above £200 million and he has been responsible for Newport Beach Hotel, Disneyworld café and every hospitality project the company undertakes.
Before he joined, Richard was the Principal Architect of the Walt Disney Company for 8 consecutive years and prior that, he was the Architecture, Interior and Design Executive in several top 100 companies, including The Irvine Company, one of the world's most prolific real estate developers and largest landowner in California.
Richard is a professor in Domus Academy, one of the best 30 design schools in the world.
DMITRY IVANOFF (SENIOR DIRECTOR - ARCHITECT)
Dmitry Ivanoff is our non-executive partner. Dmitry worked for Foster+Partners for 7 years. Dmitry and Debbie were part of the same team, working on some prestigious projects like Masdar in Abu Dhabi, the first sustainable carbon-neutral city in the world.
Dmitry was also the honourable secretary of RIBA South London Branch along with Debbie for 5 years and afterwards was elected the Chair of the committee.
After leaving Foster+Partners Dmitry followed a Project Manager / Developer path. He directed redevelopment of a 5 Star Hotel and Golf Resort in Surrey, and lately completed a luxurious private villa for a high net worth family in the Middle East
marcus thomson-smith (director - PROJECT MANAGER - REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST)
Marcus is a real estate specialist and has been involved with the company since 2014.
Marcus has a MSc in Real Estate from CASS Business School (City, University of London) and a BA in Architecture from the University of Westminster.
Marcus’s master dissertation was based on the creation of a model that can predict prospective tenants’ bid-rent for office spaces in the City of London. This pioneer model is a very powerful tool for developers and investors, saving them considerable time and funds, as the model gives the results during the design stage. The model is based on the sourcing and analysis of thousands of data and case studies. His work was awarded a distinction.
He has been involved with Brunswick Centre projects, the yacht design, the Tower 42 renovation project and most recently with the idea of a model that will evaluate the building’s THINK NATURE principles and suggest ways to improve its efficiency to assess the building’s performance on an energy basis and on how to save space.
Marina Zouni HALLWORTH (director MARKETING AND PR)
Marina is the business development Director, a chartered engineer and an independent director serving on two boards as an NED.
Marina joined the company after a successful carrier of over 23 years mainly in the automotive industry. She led an extensive product portfolio with combined sales volumes or circa 300,000 vehicles per year across Europe. Having led commercial partnership initiatives, she delivered significant year to year profit increased to circa $100 million +.
Highly educated with two engineering degrees and an MBA from Warwick Business School, Marina is bringing a strategic approach to branding and business growth.
Winner of the “Chairman’s Leadership Award for Diversity” she is passionate about building strong stakeholders relationships as well as supporting women on boards.
LAWRENCE BRENCHLEY (SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER - SURVEYOR)
Lawrence Brenchley has joined the DFA team as the in-house Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor. A Chartered Surveyor and a Fellow member of the RICS, Lawrence also has extensive PM experience, built during a long international career with top firms like Arup & Partners (8 years), AECOM (6 years), Davis Langdon & Everest (5 years), where Lawrence managed multimillion-budget projects both in the UK and abroad.
Lawrence is an accomplished entrepreneur and a successful businessman, having established and run his own PM consultancy (5 years) and an FF&E company for the past 16 years.
Lawrence adds unique value to the DFA team through his sharp ability to act as Client representative and manage risks on large scale projects. He has a wealth of experience in design team management (RIBA stages 5-7) and project timing & budget management acting as a Quantity Surveyor.
STEVE WATTS (SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER)
Steve has recently joined the DFA team as a Hospitality, Sports and Leisure consultant.
Steve is a successful entrepreneur, with 3 fitness clubs to his name and over 20 years of experience in design and delivering Sports and Leisure projects.
Whilst operating his second club in 2000, the club reached record sales and was bought by investors just 2 years after its opening. When the new operator went into administration during the financial crisis in 2009, Steve seized the opportunity to buy back the trading company, which he recovered before selling it again in 2013.
Steve is the pioneering force behind the "eActiv Health Lounge" concept, currently operating in several key locations, offering "intelligent training" in a "lounge" setting, with many potential applications in gymnasiums, spas, recreational facilities and hospitality settings.
In addition to developing and operating his own enterprises, Steve has also consulted numerous design,new build and refurbishment projects, specialising in delivering optimum operational efficiency combined with excellent client experience, to maximise profitability.
Steve started his career as a professional footballer and played in three continents before qualifying with a diploma in Medical Science. He also holds a BMC qualification under Fitness for Industry.
Steve's visionary outlook, innovative thinking and substantial Sport and Leisure Business experience will add an invaluable asset to the Hospitality, Sport and Leisure arm of the DFA team.