Dr Tim Williams is the Practice Leader, Cities for Grimshaw across all our regions. Currently based in Sydney, Tim leads our Cities initiative which carries out research, thought leadership, industry engagement, advocacy, institutional partnering, project origination, and internal learning through a civic lens. His role is grounded in nearly 25 years international experience in city strategy and policy, urban regeneration and governance, and in advising governments and leaders in the public and private sector.

Before joining Grimshaw in 2020, Tim has previously held positions as Arup’s Head of Cities in Australasia, CEO of the Committee for Sydney and as advisor to the Greater Sydney Commission – advising on major infrastructure projects such the new light and heavy rail networks.

Prior to moving to Australia in 2010, Tim worked in London as a specialist advisor to five consecutive UK Ministers for Cities, Planning and Urban Regeneration, through which he played a key role in the emergence of Homes England; and as the CEO of the Thames Gateway London Partnership through which he played a key role in securing Crossrail and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link through Stratford which helped lay the foundations for the urban regeneration of the area and its eventual selection as the site of the 2012 Olympic Games.

In addition to his role at Grimshaw, Tim is currently a member of the NSW Government’s Smart Places Initiative, the Architect’s Registration Board and is a founding board member of NSW Circular (economy initiative). He also has a PhD in History from Cambridge University, is a qualified barrister and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Western Sydney University in 2018 for his contribution to the region.