Mott MacDonald appoints Ruth Shilston as events and venues lead for UK and Europe
Mott MacDonald has appointed Ruth Shilston as major events and venues lead for UK and Europe. She will help clients to boost their venue development projects, bringing experience from major events including the 2022 World Cup, and the 2012 Olympics to the role.
Mark Ewen, managing director for buildings UK and Europe, commented, “Ruth steps into this role at an exciting time for our buildings business as we continue to grow in our distinct markets and support clients adapt and innovate in an ever changing landscape. Ruth’s appointment further strengthens Mott MacDonald’s ability to bring together deep sector knowledge, multidisciplinary expertise and a clear understanding of the role venues play in shaping successful places.”
The Mott MacDonald Group is a management, engineering and development consultancy headquartered in the UK, and employing more than 19,000 staff in 150 countries. Mott MacDonald’s major events and venues team works on projects of all scales, including modernisations and expansions as well as new builds across the sports, conferencing, entertainment and the cultural field.
Shilston joined Mott MacDonald in 2023, and has since supported clients across public and private sectors with a focus on sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation. She is currently Mott MacDonald’s global lead for engineering sciences and a trustee and fellow of the IMechE.
Boasting more than two decades of experience in major venues and events, Shilston’s former projects including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Anfield and Brentford Community Stadium. Most recently, Ruth led the engineering input for the Women’s Super League’s new women’s football stadium design guidelines. As a passionate advocate for women’s sport, she will continue to champion this fast-evolving part of the venues landscape.
In her new role, Mott MacDonald’s work with venue owners, operators and event organisers. She will lead the team supporting clients across the full lifecycle of major venue development, from early strategic advice and technical design through to consultancy around sustainability, resilience, inclusivity, operational performance and long-term legacy.
Commenting on her appointment, Shilston added, “Venues have been a passion of mine throughout my career. They act as catalysts for urban regeneration, focal points for communities and deliver fantastic and memorable experiences for people. Building on Mott MacDonald’s breadth of expertise and 75 plus years heritage in this market, my ambition is to work with our clients to design venues that are integrated into our cities, sustainable in their operation and capable of creating an even more outstanding experience for players, performers, spectators and communities.”
