Rachel Ellison

Rachel is an experienced business leader with a background in the general management of large infrastructure projects. She gained her experience as an engineer and project manager working on some of the largest and most challenging civil engineering schemes in the UK. Rachel has led large multidisciplinary teams through the entire project lifecycle having successfully delivered schemes at feasibility and options stage, and managed nationally significant infrastructure projects through planning, design and construction as well as having led large asset management programmes.

Rachel joined Mott MacDonald in 2019, successfully leading both the water and environment, and the advisory and programme delivery businesses for UK and Europe, before being appointed operations director for UK and Europe in January 2026. In that role, she is focused on driving profitable, sustainable and strategically aligned growth across the UK and Europe and is instrumental in translating and embedding group strategies within the region.

Rachel studied civil engineering and architecture at Bath University and is a chartered civil engineer and a fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers. She is passionate about developing people and creating diverse and inclusive working environments where people can be their best and deliver great outcomes.