AtkinsRéalis has announced a change in leadership at its UK and Ireland business.

Richard Robinson, currently president of UK and Ireland, will soon oversee the company’s considerable expansion in Asia, Middle East and Australia (AMEA), building on its long-standing local presence in rapidly growing markets through the delivery of major infrastructure, transportation and clean energy programs.

Chris Ball, currently chief operating officer of AtkinsRéalis’ Nuclear business, will become president – UK and Ireland, effective 1 March.

Ball joins the company’s executive committee and will be responsible for the company’s significant presence across the UK and Ireland, with more than 12,000 employees providing end-to-end engineering, program management and advisory services.

Ian Edwards, president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, said: “These internal appointments to lead two of our core regions reflect the strength and experience we have within AtkinsRéalis.

“I am confident that their knowledge of our organisation, our clients and the countries we operate in will strengthen our ability to drive growth and deliver excellence in the UK, Ireland and AMEA, and I’m delighted to welcome both Chris and Richard into their new roles within the company.”

Robinson joined AtkinsRéalis in 2019. He has more than 25 years’ experience of overseeing transformational levels of business growth in senior leadership positions in heavy industry and engineering.

He has a wealth of international experience, including leading large businesses in the Middle East.

Prior to joining the company in 2019, he was chief operating officer at HS2 and has also held senior positions at AECOM, BAA Heathrow and Anglo American.

Ball has more than 20 years’ experience at AtkinsRéalis. Before taking on the role as chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis’ Nuclear business globally in 2023 he spent five years as managing director for its Nuclear EMEA business and 10 years as managing director for Energy in UK and Europe.  

As president for UK and Ireland, he will be responsible for maintaining and growing AtkinsRéalis’ position across transportation, infrastructure, water, defence, security, and technology.