Design consultancy WATG has opened an office in Istanbul, as it prepares for development in Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Lisya Sullam, who has been with the firm since 2007, has been appointed director of the new office.

She has been involved in high-profile projects in country including Olivion Golf Resort and Missoni Hotel in Antalya Belek and Bodrum Viceroy.

Raised in Istanbul, Sullam's focus is to build a design team and to support WATG clients in the region.

Meanwhile, the firm has appointed Ayman Ezzeddine director of business development in the Middle East and Africa, based at its Dubai office.

In the US, Andrea Wagner has been appointed corporate marketing manager at the company's headquarters in Irvine to support the company's expansion strategy and shape global marketing efforts.