Arcadis appoints new Northern Cities Executive

Arcadis has appointed a new northern cities executive, playing a crucial role in representing the organisation across the north of England.

Richard Jones, a chartered engineer with more than 25 years’ experience, will lead Arcadis’s northern presence. He will also be Arcadis’s representative at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – helping to drive the vision of rebalancing the economy and narrowing the north-south divide.

A fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, Jones has successfully delivered large complex projects across the north and internationally including Liverpool ONE (one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK outside of London) and Stockport Interchange (one of Transport for Greater Manchester’s largest capital investment projects).

He also sits on the Rochdale Stations Alliance Board, guiding the delivery of over 7,000 new homes along the Calder Valley rail corridor.

As city executive, Jones will work closely with local authority leaders and the business community across the region to help them navigate the urban environment landscape. 

From the challenges of housing delivery and the crucial need for investment in rail infrastructure, to the devolution agenda and how our cities and towns can provide quality of life for all, Jones’ focus will be on helping to shape the north and the opportunities available to make it an ideal place to live and work.

He lives near Chester, and has spent most of his working life in the north – an alumnus of The University of Salford and The University of Sheffield. His most recent Arcadis role has been as head of development led infrastructure.

Commenting on his appointment, Jones said: “Having lived and worked in the north for most of my career I am excited to be taking on this role during an important period for our great northern cities. 

“With a renewed focus on the devolution agenda, there is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in allowing the north to realise its vast potential, working across the public and private sector.

“The opportunity, in critical areas including transport, energy and net zero, is immense and I am hugely looking forward to taking on this challenging and rewarding role.”

Peter Hogg, UK cities director at Arcadis, added: “Richard brings a wealth of experience, connections and passion to this role, and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure all of our cities across the country are able to thrive.

“Arcadis have a strong and important presence across the north, and Richard will be a fantastic figurehead for our wide and varied client base. His expertise in transport and infrastructure, in particular, will be invaluable in the drive to better connect northern cities and create an economic whole greater than the sum of its parts.”

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Richard brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the role at what is a critical time for the north of England. 

“Arcadis is a long-standing supporter of the Northern Powerhouse and their expertise in issues such as transport infrastructure, regeneration and the net zero agenda is invaluable to us as we work together to close the north-south divide.”