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Coup for Arup as deputy mayor joins firm

Isabel Dedring, currently the London deputy mayor for transport, is to join Arup as  global transport leader in March.

In the newly created role, the firm says Dedring “will drive forward Arup’s global transport agenda and cement the firm’s integrated approach to transport and urban development.”

Dedring steps down from her current role where she has been responsible for setting policy and ensuring programme delivery across the mayor's transport portfolio. Prior to that, she spent eight years as the mayor’s environment advisor.

London mayor Boris Johnson said: “Isabel Dedring has been an indispensable member of my team and the absolute lynchpin behind the vast improvement across every aspect of transport services in London over recent years.

“She has made a colossal contribution to our city, overseen the successful delivery of major pieces of transport infrastructure and lobbied with great effect for more.

“Isabel leaves us with a world-class transport network that Londoners can be proud of and I wish her all the very best in her future career.”

Arup group chairman Gregory Hodkinson said: “At a time when rapid urbanisation and population growth drives the increasing demand for improved mobility, it is crucial that we implement smart and resilient transport solutions for the movement of people and goods.

“Isabel brings extensive experience of leadership in transport policy, planning and delivery, and I am looking forward to her helping us to drive the firm in exciting new directions.”

Dedring commented: “New innovations in funding; the emergence of zero-emission technologies; the need for closer integration between planning and transport; the explosion of digital technology; and ever-higher public expectations from transport are just a few examples of the changes creating opportunities in this field. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to build on Arup’s outstanding reputation in this area.”

Programmes overseen by Dedring in her time as deputy mayor include Re:New, a London-wide programme of home retrofit to help Londoners cut their energy bills carbon emissions (reaching 200,000 homes from late 2010); the Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Delivery Plan; new investment in green infrastructure including 10,000 new street trees and the ‘Help a London Park’ programme; the £114m London Green Fund, which uses public sector investment to catalyse private investment in London’s low carbon economy; and Low Carbon Zones, 10 communities across London committed to deliver 20.12% carbon reductions by 2012.

Previous roles include four years at McKinsey & Company in London and two years running the inward investment team in Ernst and Young’s Kazakhstan office. 

Dedring has a law degree from Harvard, is a qualified US lawyer and speaks German, French and Russian.