Ramboll managing director Mathew Riley takes the chair at ACE

The new chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has revealed his delight as he prepares for the challenges ahead and the organisation enters its 105th year.

Mathew Riley has been announced as ACE’s chair after gaining nearly 30 years’ experience across the property and infrastructure sectors. He has worked for client, contractor and consulting organisations, including BAA plc and Laing O’Rourke and has also advised clients on a number of large investment programmes including Thames Water, National Grid, Heathrow Airport and London Underground. As well as being a member of the ACE board for three years, he sits on the mayor of London’s infrastructure delivery board and the RICS construction forum. He joined Ramboll as the UK managing director in 2016.

Riley succeeds Mike Haigh, managing director of the Mott MacDonald Group, who will continue as a board member and as the immediate past chair.

Commenting on his new role, Riley said: “I am delighted to have been handed the baton from Mike Haigh and I look forward to continuing his excellent stewardship of ACE. The sector faces a number of critical challenges in the years ahead, notably around Brexit, technology and skills. Furthermore, there is a huge opportunity to engage government around new projects and the construction sector deal. ACE is ideally positioned to lead all of these conversations and ensure our industry is fit for the future.”

Commenting on Riley's appointment, Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE chief executive, said: “Mathew Riley brings an innate understanding of the issues facing the industry gained from an illustrious career working on some of the country’s most significant infrastructure projects. As a board member he contributed to the development of ACE's current corporate plan and now as chair he has an opportunity to progress its implementation. His expertise will help to guide ACE through the turbulent political and macro-economic year ahead and be of huge value to the association, employees and membership alike.”