Association for Consultancy & Engineering appoints Hannah Vickers CEO
The former Head of Policy and External Affairs for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has been appointed Chief Executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). Hannah Vickers brings extensive experience to the role, having advised international companies and governments on infrastructure projects.
Consultancy and engineering companies provide professional services across a range of key sectors including construction, energy, infrastructure, transport, and utilities. Services offered include surveying, feasibility studies, landscape design, urban planning, structural design, flood risk management and disaster relief, transport planning and business improvement and organisation.
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering - represents a broad, multifaceted and innovative portion of the UK consulting industry. ACE counts approximately 550 businesses as its membership, which collectively employ around 90,000 people. ACE member companies include some of the largest engineering and consultancy businesses in the world, but the organisation also represents significant numbers of smaller and medium companies and sole traders too.
Following the news that current Chief Executive Nelson Ogunshakin would be departing to join the International Federation of Consulting Engineers in Geneva, the group has named industry expert Hannah Vickers as his replacement, as of September 2018. A civil engineer by profession, Vickers has led the policy and public affairs team of the Institution of Civil Engineers for the past year, but also boasts extensive experience advising both private and public entities on planning and delivering projects across the world.
Prior to her most recent role, she spent nearly two years advising Ministers at HM Treasury on infrastructure delivery policy, as well as working as a consultant to senior stakeholders on a number of major projects. These included well known examples such as Crossrail 2, a new geological disposal facility for higher-activity nuclear waste, and the redevelopment of London’s Olympic Park. She has also trained and advised the governments of Argentina, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil and China in infrastructure planning and delivery.
Current ACE chair, and UK Managing Director at Ramboll, Mathew Riley, said of Vickers, “Despite a strong shortlist, the board had no hesitations in offering Hannah the role as chief executive and we are delighted that she will lead ACE on behalf of its members.
“Her background as a civil engineer and as an advisor on some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, as well as extensive government experience, means she is the ideal person to take ACE forward and to help it continue to champion infrastructure at the highest levels.
Commenting on her appointment herself, Hannah Vickers added, “I am delighted to be taking over at ACE as we enter an exciting and evolutionary period for the consultancy and engineering industry with new opportunities across UK and international markets. I look forward to working with our talented staff and the full range of our members to build further success in the coming years.”
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