Meet our board

On 1 October 2007 Peter Wickens took over as chairman from Mike Blackburn after heading the Group’s North America business Hatch Mott MacDonald Group – a 1500-strong company operating in 54 US and Canadian cities. Follo-wing his appointment to the Group Board in 2002, he was also corporate services director, a role which included responsibility for global information systems, HR and quality, environment and safety systems. Peter has been with the company for over 30 years and first went to America in 1996 to manage the company’s then new US operation, at that time comprising 120 staff working in transportation. After a period back in the UK he returned to America in 2000 as chief executive officer of the business there and led a programme of expansion into new geographic and service markets. Like those before him, Peter’s ambition is to improve and expand the Group.

Keith Howells is Mott MacDonald's managing director, responsible for our financial performance and world-wide resources management. He joined the Group Board in 2002 with responsibility for our quality, environment and safety system, human resources and IT. Prior
to this Keith led the Group's world-wide business in water and environment. Here his own track record includes particular experience in the urban environmental, flood management and water resources sectors, covering planning, institutional, economic, financial, technical, environmental and management aspects. Keith's 30-year career with the Group has seen him working on projects in over 20 countries, most recently in China, India and southern Africa.

Kevin Stovell joined the Group Board as international managing director in 2002, before becoming the Group development Director, responsible for growing the business organically as well as through strategic acquisitions and the creation of key joint ventures. During his early career in the offshore industry, Kevin was projects director of ABB Global Engineering before joining Ewbank Preece in 1991 to head its oil and gas activities and then become managing director – a role involving restructuring of our energy operations when the company joined Mott MacDonald in 1994. In 1999 Kevin took over leadership of our management services activities, developing our capabilities in project and programme management and management consultancy which expanded in 2002 when Franklin + Andrews became part of the Group.

Richard Williams is one of the Group Board’s newly appointed directors. With over 33 years’ experience in the railway industry, half of this time having managed large rail engineering businesses, Richard oversees the direction, development and management of Mott MacDonald’s global transportation business. His role at Group level now includes responsibility for contracts, risk management and quality, safety and environment. In particular, Richard is responsible for pushing forward the Group’s drive to reinforce a positive safety management culture.

Guy Leonard joined the cost consultancy/project management business of Franklin + Andrews in 1977. When Franklin + Andrews joined Mott MacDonald in 2002, Guy became managing director of the Group’s management consultancy, construction economics and project management business. As one of the Group Board’s newly appointed directors Guy takes on responsibility for learning and development and internal communications. One of his key missions will be to ensure our mission and values are communicated and understood by new staff around the globe.

Kevin Dixon heads Mott MacDonald’s building and infrastructure business, managing the UK office network and overall control and direction of our work in buildings. Much of Kevin's 32 years’ experience has been in Asia Pacific where he has managed the planning, design and construction phases of major global multi-disciplinary works, particularly embracing transportation schemes, road works, railways, bridges, viaducts, marine works, reclamations, utilities and land remediation. Kevin has been with the Group for 24 years, during which time he was managing director for our Hong Kong business. Kevin’s additional responsibility as one of the Group Board’s new directors is for property and our commitment to sustainability.

Jermyn Brooks has been a non-executive director of the Mott MacDonald Group since 2003. Former Chairman and Senior Partner Pricewaterhouse Europe, he negotiated the merger of the US operation into the world-wide body of Pricewaterhouse in 1997 and in 1998 led the merger discussions with Coopers and Lybrand successfully negotiating with partners in 50 countries. Jermyn remained with PWC Germany as a non-executive director until 2005 and is a part time director of Transparency International, the Berlin based advocacy group promoting good corporate governance, transparency in business and fighting world-wide public sector corruption. He is a highly experienced international chairman with a wide knowledge of business including construction and the funding of large infrastructure projects.

Claire Smith has been appointed as a non-executive director of the Group. With a wealth of international senior management experience and as a gifted linguist, speaking German, French, Mandarin, Spanish as well as English, Claire will provide invaluable guidance to the Group as we continue to grow our global business. At the FCO, where in 1982 she became Second Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing, Claire held senior diplomatic roles in various locations around the world. A major challenge for the board is to retain the company's cultural values and at the same time be mindful and respectful of the diversities of our staff. This is where Claire's experience in the public service will add tremendous value to the sustainable future of Mott MacDonald Group.