He replaces Mathew Riley from Ramboll who held the position for the last two years at the business group and who becomes immediate past chair. Mr Reilly was treasurer for the industry group throughout that period.

Paul Reilly, ACE chair, said: “I’m delighted to take up this role at what is an exciting time for our industry. In the medium-term, the challenge is how we evolve the value proposition we are offering to our clients – the foundation of ACE’s Future of Consultancy campaign. Then there is the critical goal of a Net Zero society and the crucial role we all have to play in achieving that both in our organisations and through our projects.

“These will be the primary issues I hope to champion in my time as chair. I also want to see the ACE better support its small and medium-sized members and I look forward to listening to them in early 2020 and working with colleagues and the ACE board to make that happen.”

Chief executive of ACE, Hannah Vickers, said: “I know Paul extremely well from his time as treasurer of ACE and I’m sure we will continue our close working relationship together in his new role as chair. All of the staff and myself look forward to making progress on the three themes he has outlined.

“On behalf of the members I would like to thank Mathew Riley for his guidance throughout my first 15 months at ACE. He was a vital steadying influence on the group in a moment of great change.”

In addition to the new chair, David Beddell (AECOM) has been appointed ACE vice chair (voice of consultancy), Chris Dulake (Mott MacDonald) chair of the international business group, Margot Day (BuroHappold) chair of the legal and commercial group, and Paul Johnston (Arup) chair of the Northern Ireland group. Chris Young (Tony Gee) was appointed non-executive board member to ACE Emerging Professionals. 

Hannah Vickers added: “The board plays a vital role in ensuring ACE represents all of its members and guides us to be proactive and impactful in everything that we do. Whether that’s representing our members to politicians or helping the industry to deal with the challenges ahead, they bring energy, enthusiasm and a sense of purpose to our activities and I look forward to working with the new appointees soon.”

A number also left the board with Mike Haigh, Clive Anderson, and Stuart Mackenzie no longer holding official posts with ACE. 

ACE Board 2020:

• Chair 2020 – Paul Reilly, Stantec UK Infrastructure and Buildings (formerly Peter Brett Associates)
• Vice Chair (SMEs and devolved nations) – Simon Innes, Goodson Associates
• Vice Chair (Future of Consultancy) – Craig Huntbatch, Royal HaskoningDHV
• Vice Chair (Voice of Consultancy) – Dave Beddell, AECOM
• Immediate Past Chair – Mathew Riley, Ramboll
• Chair of Large Consultancy group – Geoff Hunt, Arup
• Chair of ACE Emerging Professionals – Georgia Hughes, Arcadis
• Chair International Business group – Chris Dulake, Mott MacDonald
• Chair Legal and Commercial group – Margot Day, BuroHappold
• Chair Major Projects group – Dave Barwell, AECOM
• Chair SME group – Steven Hale, Crofton Design
• Chair ACE Business Academy – Mark Naysmith, WSP
• Chair of Wales – Catherine Wenger, Arup
• Chair of Scotland – Mark Arthur, Hurley Palmer Flatt
• Chair of Northern Ireland – Paul Johnston, Arup
• Chair ACE Midlands – Ruth Jeffs, Waterman Group
• Non-Executive Board member, ACE Emerging Professionals – Chris Young, Tony Gee