Mott MacDonald explained that Hammond will be responsible for leading the consultancy’s practice community and enhancing its global visibility. He will also engage with clients, advance staff capability by unlocking innovation and fostering best practice, and drive thought leadership.

A spokesperson said, “Hammond has considerable experience as a leader in the infrastructure and economics arena, with a long list of achievements in developing successful and profitable teams in a consultancy environment. His 25 years' experience include the delivery of consultancy and research assignments for clients including the International Finance Corporation, World Bank, European Investment Bank, European Commission, and national roles as economic adviser to the Local Government Association in England.

“More widely, Paul has delivered business growth as part of Mott MacDonald’s integrated transport business, by leading on innovative new business toolkits, helping develop the skills and expertise of staff and the appointment of new strategic recruits. A regular speaker and contributor to relevant thought leadership debates, Paul was also recently appointed as a visiting professor of economic development at the University of the West of England.”

Anne Kerr meanwhile has experience spanning the planning, design, development and implementation of strategic infrastructure in 30 countries across Asia-Pacific, Australasia and the Middle East.?She originally joined Mott MacDonald in 1987 as a public health engineer based in Hong Kong. After becoming a principal environmental consultant a few years later, she then went on to hold several director roles for the consultancy’s infrastructure, environment, cost and project management teams in Hong Kong.

The spokesperson added, “In leading Mott MacDonald’s cities initiative since 2015, Anne also brings insights and knowledge from the consultancy’s contribution in urban centres around the world, integrating expertise in transport, built environment, energy and water with digital transformation and new approaches to climate resilience and sustainability.”

Finally, Liz King is a chartered engineer, fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and joined Mott MacDonald more than 35 years ago. Most recently she was managing director of the consultancy’s business in India. Prior to moving overseas, she was based in the United Kingdom and managed Mott MacDonald’s integrated transport business, which supported customers to connect local and international communities through multi-modal transport. Earlier in her career she worked in the area of structural durability and repair for multiple clients on operations, critical maintenance, repair and strengthening strategies.