Mott MacDonald has appointed Richard Risdon as managing director of its UK and Europe region.

Due to take up the post on August 1, Risdon succeeds Cathy Travers who becomes managing director of the £2bn global engineering, management and development consultancy.

He will be responsible for revenue exceeding £800m and a team of 8,000 employees delivering infrastructure projects across transport, water, energy and the built environment.

Risdon has most recently been operations director for the Mott MacDonald Bentley contracting business, formed in 2014 when JN Bentley became part of the group as a natural progression of the Mott MacDonald Bentley joint venture. 

Prior to this he was a board director of JN Bentley which he joined as a civil engineer in 1999. 

Risdon has a track record of growing businesses and teams across the UK and building client relationships, leading to Mott MacDonald Bentley securing frameworks and delivering projects for seven of the UK’s water and wastewater companies. 

He has also helped diversify the contracting business through wins on frameworks with Associated British Ports, Rolls Royce and Cadent.

Throughout his career Risdon has been passionate about people and helping them to develop their careers, often contributing to STEM events to inspire the next generation and encourage people to join the infrastructure industry. 

He has helped to drive JN Bentley’s apprenticeship programme and mentors early career professionals. He has also worked closely with colleagues across the wider Mott MacDonald Group to support and drive digital innovation.

Travers said: “Richard will bring a new perspective to our UK and Europe regional business, enriched by his contracting background, which will be positive for our clients and our continued evolution. He’s a people person who builds great relationships and high performing teams, I for one can’t wait to work with him more closely and I wish him all the very best in his new role.” 

Risdon added: “I am very excited to start my new role, in which I’ll be focusing on excellence in both our delivery to our clients and in how we develop and engage all of our people with a strong focus on digital and preparing us for the future. I’m hugely looking forward to building on our success in the UK and Europe while supporting our growth ambitions across Mott MacDonald.”