Buyout of architect behind design of 2012 Olympic stadium is being led by Rod Sheard

HOK Sport, the architecture firm responsible for the design of London鈥檚 Olympic Stadium, and the new roof over Wimbledon鈥檚 centre court, has been taken over in a management buyout.

Rod Sheard, head of HOK Sport, led the deal to take the unit out of parent HOK Group. The buyout was funded by Sheard and other top executives.

Rod Sheard, senior principal of HOK Sport Venue Event, said, 鈥淲e are proud of our 25-year association with HOK; indeed it has helped us to grow and build what has become the world鈥檚 leading design firm of sports facilities and convention centers.

"We are very excited about this next phase, in which we intend to build on that success and grow our specialist Sport Venue Event business to the benefit of our clients and our people alike.鈥�

The firm will change its name once the deal is completed, which is expected to be by the end of 2008.

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