New Managing Director Appointed for Water and Environment Business

Mott MacDonald (UK) has appointed Chris Spearing as managing director of its water and environment business. He replaces Jim Perry who has retired after 39 years with the consultancy.

Commenting on his appointment Chris said: “In the UK and internationally our customers face diverse challenges, including delivering more efficient capital investment programmes, attracting private investment, climate change, conflict and natural disasters, as well as international development goals. Mott MacDonald provides sustainable solutions for our clients, enabling them to address these challenges and operate an increasingly efficient, profitable business. Mott MacDonald is making a difference through innovative sophisticated designs, project management, alliancing and partnering with customers, their suppliers and contractors, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

Chris began his career at Mott MacDonald over 30 years ago as an engineer in Birmingham working on a variety of wastewater projects. Since then he has spent a considerable time working overseas. Chris spent nine years in Hong Kong working on some of the consultancy’s largest projects such as West Kowloon drainage and sewerage, which was a major element of the Hong Kong International Airport project at Chek Lap Kok. Chris was also involved in the development of North Lantau and the construction of Tung Chung New Town, close to the airport.

Following his time in Hong Kong Chris returned to the UK in 1997 where he was heavily involved in the consultancy’s work for Yorkshire Water. During this time Chris was also involved in establishing Mott MacDonald Bentley, a joint venture with contractor JN Bentley which continues to win multiple client and industry awards for quality and innovation.

In 2001 Chris moved to the US to help integrate the Killam Group into Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM), the consultancy’s North American joint venture with Canadian firm Hatch. Chris spent several years in various management roles before becoming managing director of HMM’s southeast and pipeline unit in 2004.

Chris returned to the UK at the end of 2010 to become managing director of Mott MacDonald’s programme, commercial and management business. In this short time he led a major restructuring of the business and managed tremendous growth with staff numbers increasing by more than 35% in two years.