Ruth Shilston

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Reliable, varied, opportunity.

What do you enjoy about working here?

I enjoy contributing to large-scale projects and having the opportunity to solve interesting problems.

Tell us about your specialism and why you chose it

I’m passionate about venues because of their power to bring people together, create joy and drive positive change. I see venues as more than just buildings; they are placemakers, catalysts for urban regeneration and focal points for our communities. Whether a building is hosting record-breaking sporting moments or providing life-saving care, my aim is to create places where people can do amazing things.

Why did you choose to join Mott MacDonald?

The company’s technical breadth and experience sets it apart as the go-to firm for the most complex and technically challenging construction projects around the world.

How has your career progressed since joining?

I joined Mott MacDonald as a technical director and within 18 months I was given the opportunity to step up into a global discipline lead role. My move into the venues leadership role seemed like the natural next step for me. Combining my technical background, client-facing experience and long history of working on venues, it felt like the right opportunity at the right time.

How do you demonstrate technical excellence in your work?

Technical excellence is in my DNA. In my role I bring together our technical specialists to share knowledge and ensure that we bring our best experts to solve the most interesting problems. Technically, I am a subject matter expert in human thermal comfort, climate aware design, microclimate and wind engineering. I’m currently working with clients on adapting their buildings to deal with extreme heat, which is becoming more and more critical as climate change continues to push temperatures up. I’m proud that mine and my colleagues’ technical knowledge and experience is helping to ensure the built environment is fit for the future.

What are your career highlights and achievements?

The biggest highlights for me are the projects closest to home. From visiting and enjoying some of the multiple venues used for the London 2012 Olympics to working on Brentford Stadium, which I always point out to my kids when we drive past.