Transport expert Alan Bain joins Mott MacDonald in West Midlands

29 March 2018 Consultancy.uk

Mott MacDonald has picked up Alan Bain, a transport sector expert who was most recently a Business Director at Systra. Bain’s responsibilities at the firm include client account leadership for its transport practice in the West Midlands.

While the transport and logistics industry is valued at more than €2.7 trillion globally, and has seen consistent revenue growth in recent years. However, many companies’ profitability growth has been lacklustre. As the private sector struggles to get the most out of the transport industry’s potential, considerable pressure has been placed on public authorities to boost infrastructure in order to support the needs of business.

In turn, this has seen a boom in demand for consulting industry expertise from clients in the public sector. This has led to firms having to expand their talent pools to accommodate a growing portfolio, which has seen the likes of engineering and construction consultancies Steer Davies GleaveRamboll, and Mott MacDonald being selected for a plethora of projects.

While Steer Davies Gleave and Ramboll were tapped to consult on an overhaul of Southampton’s public transport system, Mott MacDonald has been hired for a broad range of international projects. These included advisory work for the building of a bridge in Hong Kong, a contract alongside fellow consultancy Arup to oversee the construction of a new Metro system in Sydney, and in the UK, a collaboration with Sweco to upgrade the M3 and M27 junctions.

Alan Bain, Project Director

Now, as the firm looks to expand its team to cater to further growth in demand, as the UK prepares a number of key transport infrastructure projects – from the building of high-speed railway HS2 to the electrification of high-ways in preparation for life after combustion engines – Mott MacDonald has hired transport expert Alan Bain from rival firm Systra. Bain brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm, covering a broad array of high-level projects.

During his tenure at Systra, Alan Bain worked as a Business Director, managing the firm’s Midlands Region for a year. He was previously a Director at JMP Consulting, prior to its acquisition by Systra in 2017. He spent more than seven years at the firm, most recently leading one of the firm’s Business Units. Earlier in his career, he worked at SIAS for nine years, most recently as an Associate; at Scott Wilson as a Transport Planner for two years; and as a Graduate Transport Planner at Atkins for four years, beginning in 1996.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Economic History and a Master of Science in Transportation Planning and Policy, both from Newcastle University. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts in Sports Development from the University of Gloucestershire and a Postgraduate Certificate in Urban Design from the University of Westminster.

Bain’s new role at the firm is that of Project Director, in its integrated transport team in Birmingham. He takes on the role of client account leader for the firm’s transport practice in the West Midlands, as well as wider support for consultancy to the segment in the city and regions.

Commenting on Alan’s appointment, Mott MacDonald’s global practice leader for transport planning Alan Holcroft said, “Alan is someone we have known for many years who is extremely well connected across the UK and in particular the Midlands. He is a fantastic addition to our team and the perfect person to drive the expansion of our transport planning business from our growing Birmingham office.”

Related: Mott MacDonald appoints Cathy Travers as Managing Director

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