Ogunshakin to leave ACE to head up international engineers’ federation FIDIC

Nelson Ogunshakin is stepping down as chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) after 14 years in the role to take over as chief executive officer at the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC).

ACE’s board has already started the process to find a replacement and ACE and FIDIC have agreed to a smooth transition, with the exact timings of Ogunshakin's departure to be confirmed once a replacement is lined up. Ogunshakin will then move to join ACE’s advisory board as its vice chair.

Current ACE chair and managing director of Ramboll UK, Mathew Riley, said: “On behalf of ACE’s members, the Board, Advisory Board and entire staff, I would like to thank Nelson for his outstanding contribution to the transformation and development of ACE over the last 14 years. His achievements and unflinching dedication to the organisation have been both remarkable and inspiring.  

“He has successfully positioned ACE at the top table where it has been able to influence government, investor, developer and stakeholder decisions on infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable future for our industry. We wish Nelson the very best in his new role as chief executive officer of FIDIC and look forward to working with him in our ongoing efforts to promote the business interests of professional consultancy and engineering companies globally.”

Ogunshakin will replace current FIDIC managing director, Enrico Vink, who is retiring. FIDIC has 102 member associations representing the consulting engineering industry globally and promotes the business interests of firms supplying technology-based intellectual services for the built and natural environment. 

Commenting on the move, Ogunshakin said: “I have seen many progressive changes during my time at ACE, but the one constant has been the regard in which the association is held by its members, by government and by our many stakeholders in the construction and infrastructure sector.

“Given the growing importance of infrastructure, and the key contribution of consultancy and engineering companies in driving economic and social prosperity, leading ACE is a hugely significant role. My successor will be taking over an organisation working in a business sector with a bright and exciting future.

“Leading ACE has been an enormous privilege and an amazing experience. I am immensely proud of the fantastic board and staff members I have been lucky to work with over the years. Whoever takes over as chief executive will be working with a brilliant, diverse and talented corporate and operational team.”

Talking about his new role, Ogunshakin said: “FIDIC is a well-established global brand with diverse expectations from its stakeholders and urgently needs to respond to the emerging challenges facing the global consulting engineering industry.

“Our industry internationally faces a number of key challenges associated with the emergence of China’s economy, price volatility in the oil and energy markets, increasing urbanisation, embracing digital technological innovation, market consolidation and growing economic and political instability across the globe. 

“My priority, as a change agent, will be to take a root and branch review of FIDIC’s activities, initially focusing on its core activities and delivering them very well. In the medium to long term, I look forward to working with the FIDIC executive committee to establish appropriate strategic objectives, effective governance structures, services proposition, closer membership engagement and the implementation of operational efficiencies to ensure we are responsive to an ever-changing international marketplace and fit for the future.”