Global engineering, design and sustainability consultancy Ramboll has announced a change to its UK leadership, with managing director Philippa Spence to take over the leadership of its Environment and Health (E&H) division from August 1.

Neil Sansbury, current finance and executive director, will take on the role of acting managing director for UK and Ireland. 

The move sees Spence step into a global leadership role in Ramboll’s 3,000-strong global E&H division after three years in her current role. 

As head of the E&H Division, Spence will oversee Ramboll’s largest and most profitable market, which holds a top-10 leading position globally among environmental consultancies. 

She takes on the global role having led the company’s E&H division in the UK from 2019-2021. 

An industry leader in sustainability and environmental consultancy, Spence chairs the Environment Industries Commission (EIC), where she has been a passionate advocate for the environment alongside her role at Ramboll. 

Sansbury, who takes the helm for the UK and Ireland, joined Ramboll in 2016 and played a crucial role in navigating the company through the challenges relating to Brexit, Covid and more recently inflation, whilst helping to double revenue and deliver sustainable growth. 

He will bring his considerable experience and in-depth knowledge of Ramboll’s business in the UK and Ireland to the role. 

Spencer said: “I am delighted that Neil will be taking on the acting MD role, he has been a firm hand on the tiller in our growth journey, helping drive our strategy: The Partner for Sustainable Change.

“He has worked alongside the UK executive to empower our people to deliver innovative and leading solutions that support the transition to a more sustainable society, whilst creating a culture in which our people can grow and flourish”.  

Sansbury added: “I’m looking forward to leading the UK and Ireland business. It’s an exciting time for our industry with early promising signals from the new government on a variety of matters. 

“Bringing stability and confidence to the market with the green energy transition, establishing Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund, planning reforms. 

“These initiatives and other clear policy signals are essential for the UK’s growth and decarbonisation ambitions. 

“Our significant investments into sustainability means we are well placed to support clients in the green transition, I have no doubt that the next five years will be transformational for our industry.”