Ramboll UK managing director Mathew Riley has been announced as the new chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) as the organisation enters its 105th year.

The business association represents the interests of professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the social and economic infrastructure sector.

Mathew has nearly 30 years’ experience across the property and infrastructure sectors and has worked for client, contractor and consulting organisations, including BAA plc and Laing O’Rourke. He has 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.

He succeeds Mike Haigh who is managing director of Mott MacDonald Group. Mike will continue as a Board member and as the Immediate Past Chair.

Mathew 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 Sector Deal. ACE is ideally positioned to lead all of these conversations and ensure our industry is fit for the future.”

Welcoming his appointment, Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, chief executive of the ACE, 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 the 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.”