Arcadis have appointed former planning minister and Downing Street chief of staff Gavin Barwell as a non-executive advisor.

Lord Barwell, who was the MP for Croydon Central from 2010-2017 prior to his elevation to the House of Lords in October last year, held a range of roles within government and will now bring this experience to Arcadis in areas of key strategic interest for the company.

His previous roles included as a government whip, minister of state for housing and planning and separately as minister for London, before taking the position as Downing Street chief of staff from 2017-19 advising former prime minister Theresa May.

Barwell will remain an active peer but will also now work with Arcadis providing strategic advice on a series of priorities around construction, housing, placemaking and urban regeneration. 

In this role, Barwell will help develop both Arcadis’ emerging residential sector footprint and housing JV model and their precision manufacture and modular construction expertise. He will also support the company’s role as a thought leader around placemaking and strategic spatial initiatives.

Mark Cowlard, Arcadis CEO UK & Ireland said: “We are delighted that Gavin will be coming onboard and I look forward to working with him. This is an incredibly challenging time for everyone regardless of industry, sector or geographical location. Arcadis is ready to play our part wherever we can in the immediate response and the recovery that follows, and Gavin’s appointment will help us do just that.

“Gavin brings a wealth of expertise across a range of our key sectors in particular urban development and housing. This will help Arcadis further develop our support to clients, during this uncertain time and beyond. Aside from his sector specific credentials, his broader insight will also be of great value to us as a leadership team as we move beyond Covid-19.”

Peter Hogg, UK cities director said: “We have been incredibly impressed by Gavin’s passion and understanding for areas that are crucial to Arcadis. As a company we seek to challenge both ourselves and the sectors we work in through innovation and leadership, this appointment will allow us to continue that trend at a time when it is needed most.”

Lord Barwell said of his new role: “I am delighted to be joining Arcadis in an advisory role. Arcadis are recognised as world leaders in design and consultancy for natural and built assets and I look forward to helping shape the conversation around construction, urban development and housing. These are areas that will be crucial as we help industry, the economy and our communities recover from the current crisis.”