Executive board appointment at Mott MacDonald

David Johnson has been appointed to Mott MacDonald’s executive board as development director for the global business.

In this newly created role, he will guide the implementation of strategic initiatives focusing on digital, defence and buildings. 

He will also continue to support Mott MacDonald’s growth in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and business in North America.

Johnson has a deep connection with Mott MacDonald over many years, including a key role in iconic projects such as Wembley Stadium in the UK, going on to establish its business in Australia and New Zealand in 2010. 

Under his leadership the Australia and New Zealand business has now grown to 1,500 people, with further expansion across Asia taking the regional total to 3,000 staff. 

James Harris, Mott MacDonald executive chair, said: “David brings huge energy, passion and experience as well as highly valued differences in perspective. 

“As leader of our regional businesses in Asia Pacific, he has proved agile and adaptable – vital experience needed to navigate the considerable global economic, environmental, social, and technological uncertainties and challenges that we and our clients face.”

Under his leadership, the Asia Pacific business has delivered many major projects including the expansion of metros in Sydney and Melbourne, gateway airports in Singapore and Hong Kong, defence projects in Australia, world-leading pumped-storage hydropower facilities and carbon reduction targets in Korea and Japan. 

Johnson said: “We have a rich history of delivering major international projects including: the Channel Tunnel, the newly opened Elizabeth Line, High Speed Rail in the UK, airports like JFK, Heathrow and iconic stadiums including Wembley and my home ground Adelaide Oval.

“We now have almost 20,000 staff and we must be fit for the future. For example, in the last decade we have become digital by default. 

“That has unlocked innovation and value for our clients, but as a company and as an industry we have only scratched the surface of what is possible with a focus on new and emerging technologies.”