Mott MacDonald’s Denise Bower appointed chair of ACE in 2026

Professor Denise Bower OBE, Mott MacDonald group director for external engagement, has been appointed as chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE).

As the business association for professional consultancy and engineering in the UK, the ACE represents around 300 member companies, and champions infrastructure and the built environment to government and other stakeholders.

As Mott MacDonald’s group director for external engagement, Denise oversees the delivery of the business’s strategic commitments, particularly those related to climate change, and leads on corporate reputation, government relations and public policy advocacy.

Denise is an experienced leader and highly qualified civil engineer who brings a depth of global infrastructure expertise spanning academia, consultancy and strategic policy engagement. Her deep understanding of the policy, finance, and funding environment surrounding infrastructure development makes her a key voice in shaping national and international priorities.

Milda Manomaityte, chief executive of ACE said: “Professor Bower’s appointment comes at a critical time for the sector, as ACE works with government and stakeholders to address geopolitical and regulatory risks, support pipeline certainty, influence skills investment and ensure consultants are central to shaping how public and private finance supports national priorities.” 

“Denise brings an exceptional combination of strategic insight, policy influence and sector leadership. Her experience spanning industry, government engagement and academia will be invaluable as ACE continues to strengthen its voice and impact on behalf of our members.”

Mott MacDonald is a long-standing member of the ACE recently contributing to its work on how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the sector and developing a practical guide to managing wellbeing risk in the engineering consultancy sector.