Executive statement

As the Group Chief Executive and Chair of Mott MacDonald, it is my pleasure to present our 2025 annual report.  

The past year has seen us firmly respond with agility to cooling market conditions and the persistence of a complex operating environment.  

Importantly, we have taken great strides in modernising our business over the last 12 months that position us well for future growth, particularly when market conditions improve.  

In April, we announced that we were enhancing our employee-ownership model with improvements designed to empower our colleagues and foster a culture of shared success and collaboration. Our employee ownership is central to who we are.

We have also accelerated our digital ambition – especially in the realm of responsible AI. This includes investing in partnerships with key technology providers and launching our own generative AI assistant “Every Mott MacDonald Answer” – known as EMMA – which is part of a concerted effort to democratise AI for our employees.  

There were some changes to our Executive Board in 2025 with Richard Risdon joining in January. He succeeded Ian Galbraith as Group Strategy Director following Ian’s retirement in September. Dean Radeloff was also named President and CEO of our North American region and Paul Hilton became Regional General Manager for our Middle East, South Asia and International Development business. Their extensive experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business.  

Mike Brown stepped down as an independent member of our Shareholders’ Committee in advance of taking on the role of Chair of HS2 Ltd. Mike was replaced as Chair of the Shareholders’ Committee by another independent member, Erin Flaherty.  

Throughout 2025, we continued our involvement in some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects. From breaking ground on Changi T5 in Singapore, a new chapter in aviation, to enhancing Aucklandʼs city planning and management through AI and transforming Australian Defence Base Services, we are at the forefront of innovation. We are also making significant strides in the renewable energy sector, upgrading water infrastructure and accelerating urban transport across Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.  

Recent milestones in the United States, including the opening of two new light rail stations in Seattle, and the September 2025 launch of the Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) hydrogen-powered passenger service in California, highlight our ongoing commitment to infrastructure development and sustainable transport innovation. This commitment will continue in our recent win with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction and Development. The MTA runs North America’s largest public transit network, and we are delivering construction management services for critical upgrades at the College Point and Spring Creek bus depots in New York City. In Canada, our design role on the Toronto Pearson airport modernisation programme further underscores our capability in this field.  

We have secured places on the latest round of asset management frameworks for 10 water companies in the UK this year, as well as playing a significant role in the country’s energy transition alongside National Grid. Our key role in infrastructure renewal and regeneration is underlined by our recent appointments to the Ministry of Justice’s Future Prisons Programme and as technical advisers to both National Highways and Transport for London’s property company Places for London. We have a rich history and legacy in UK rail and we continue to build on this with our involvement in upgrades around the country, as well as on High Speed 2.  

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our business. Together, we will continue to achieve great things and make a lasting impact with our clients and the communities they serve.