Mott MacDonald has announced that James Harris will be its new group executive chair, succeeding Mike Haigh who retires from the role after 42 years with the global engineering, management and development consultancy.
Meanwhile, Cathy Travers will take over from Harris as the group managing director for the $2.4bn employee-owned business. The new positions will be effective 1 August 2022, the company stated.
It added that Haigh will continue to support Mott MacDonald and the wider industry through influencing roles including his position as chair of the influential World Economic Forum Infrastructure Industries Governors Group and as a member of the FIDIC Global Leadership Forum Advisory Board.
Like Haigh, both Harris and Travers have spent their entire careers with Mott MacDonald and since taking senior leadership positions have played key roles in the consultancy’s successful business strategy, the firm added.
As group managing director Harris has made a pivotal contribution to Mott MacDonald’s strong operational performance worldwide, especially in leading its successful response to Covid-19. He has also been instrumental in shaping Mott MacDonald’s award-winning approach to equality, diversity and inclusion – galvanising colleague engagement and championing collaboration with the company’s clients to advance improvements in the wider industry, the firm pointed out.
In her role as managing director of Mott MacDonald’s UK and Europe region, Travers has led a diverse team of 8000 employees delivering infrastructure projects across transport, water, energy and the built environment, the company added.
“Since joining our executive board in January 2022 she has also continued to promote a culture of inclusivity, champion our wellbeing and mental health programmes and play a leading role in developing our early-career professionals,” Mott MacDonald said in a statement.
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Haigh said: “It has been an amazing journey with Mott MacDonald and I’m extremely grateful for the many opportunities that the company has given me, and the many talented people who have made my time so rewarding.
“I am not completely stepping back and will be focusing my time to continue to support Mott MacDonald and the industry in influencing roles such as my positions as chair of the World Economic Forum Infrastructure Industries Governors Group and as a member of the FIDIC Global Leadership Forum Advisory Board. There is much to do in our industry as we prepare for the many challenges and opportunities ahead.
“This will build on a 40-year career which has been defined by the path our industry has been on, and I am proud to have played my part. However, as engineers, we continue to have a vital role in protecting communities from some of the world’s most immediate and greatest challenges. From responding to the impacts of climate change, to improving our cities and towns, transforming our transport and energy systems, and maximising the benefits from data and information. All with a determined focus on social outcomes.
“I’m delighted that James Harris will be taking over from me as Executive Chair of Mott MacDonald and Cathy Travers will be our new Group Managing Director. The company is in very safe hands, and I wish you both the best of success in the future.”
Harris and Travers praise Haigh’s leadership at Mott MacDonald
Paying tribute to Haigh, Harris said: “Mike [Haigh] has been an integral part of Mott MacDonald for over 40 years. As executive chair, he has successfully developed our business, guiding it through the pandemic and many changes including our digital transformation, a greater emphasis on technical and professional excellence, increased focus on social outcomes and greater profile in the industry – all ensuring the company’s strong position for the future.”
“I’m very proud and honoured to have been chosen as Mike’s [Haigh] successor to lead an organisation I’ve been passionately committed to all my working life. I am continually astounded by the sheer ingenuity of our people and their energetic dedication to achieving sustainable, resilient solutions to the challenges we face around the world. I’m excited at the prospect of building on what Mike [Haigh] has achieved: delivering on our purpose, advancing our technical excellence, strengthening our client partnerships and supporting our people in developing rewarding careers,” Harris added.
Travers said: “We’re all extremely grateful to Mike [Haigh] for his passion, commitment and dedication to Mott MacDonald which has helped create the talent, culture, creativity and innovation we are well known for today. It’s great to know that Mike [Haigh] will be continuing to champion the sector and Mott MacDonald through his continuing involvement in industry-wide roles.”
“I am absolutely delighted and very proud to be appointed as Mott MacDonald’s next managing director. It’s a hugely exciting time to be taking over the operational leadership of such a fantastic company and I’m very much looking forward to working with our global teams to continue to deliver great outcomes for our clients and communities, our company and our people,” Travers added.
