Mott MacDonald strengthens environmental consultancy with strategic technical director appointment

Mott MacDonald has appointed Richard Woodward as technical director in its environmental and sustainability services team, reinforcing its commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure and environmental excellence across the UK.

With nearly two decades of experience spanning both the public and private sectors, Richard brings deep expertise in environmental impact assessment, environmental risk management, sustainable design and the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

He spent the last 15 years at the Environment Agency where he spearheaded flood infrastructure initiatives and shaped environmental deliverables that balance development with long-term sustainability. Most recently he was environment manager for the River Thames Scheme, the UK’s first flood resilience project to require a Development Consent Order (DCO), providing strategic leadership across all environmental aspects of the pre-application stage.

Richard joins a growing team, comprising over 130 environmental and sustainability professionals across 17 offices nationwide. They play a pivotal role in delivering environmental planning and consultancy services across sectors including highways, rail, energy and water.

Commenting on his appointment Richard said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mott MacDonald at such a pivotal time for environmental consultancy. The scale and diversity of projects here offer a real opportunity to embed sustainability and resilience into infrastructure from the ground up. I look forward to working with talented colleagues across the UK to deliver vital infrastructure and other major developments to support economic growth and achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.”

Julia Barrett, global practice leader for environment, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Richard to the team. He brings invaluable insights to our environmental consultancy, and his strategic approach and collaborative mindset align perfectly with our values. Mott MacDonald is at the forefront of integrating environmental and social considerations into infrastructure planning and his appointment reflects our continued investment to ensure we support clients to deliver environmentally-led projects."