Ramboll has appointed Michael Henderson as its new director for cities and regeneration. He joins from Aecom, and will lead Ramboll’s urban regeneration team working with city leaders, public departments and urban developers to devise solutions to the challenges facing cities as the result of increasing urbanisation, globalisation and climate change.

Henderson will lead this team of urban strategists, complementing Ramboll’s sustainability-driven vision and values with his ‘nature-based solutions’ first approach to urban infrastructure masterplanning.

With a background in planning and design, Henderson has an impressive track record in reimagining cities to withstand future shocks and stresses, while also making them more enjoyable places to live, work and visit. 

Previously advising the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he has developed strategies, policies and action plans for some of the world’s most challenging cities. He has also shaped high-profile masterplans, including the London Olympic Legacy, Rio Olympics and Dubai Expo 2020.

Philippa Spence, UK managing director at Ramboll said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael to our business. He brings a unique insight into the environmental, social and economic drivers influencing city life. In the face of ever-more complex regeneration objectives, Michael’s big picture perspective and extensive experience in advocating for resilient, greener urban infrastructure, will help Ramboll grow our urban practice and deliver even greater value to our clients and other city stakeholders.”

On his appointment, Henderson said: “I am really excited to join Ramboll, an organisation that demonstrably puts sustainability and people at the heart of what they do. Early involvement in shaping places – before the infrastructure and buildings are thought about – provides greater scope for embedding sustainability principles that our communities and planet so desperately need, whilst generating a strong pipeline for Ramboll’s world-class engineers to really demonstrate their talents.”