Professional services firm Arcadis has announced changes to its operating structure, as it looks to better serve its global client base. The move sees the firm re-positioned around three business areas – resilience, places and mobility – as demand rises to help accommodate sustainability changes on those three fronts.
Since 2020, Arcadis has been reworking its global business model. With public and private sector companies around the world working to adapt to megatrends like urbanisation, climate change, and greater digitalisation the firm has launched a range of new services – including the launch of a new digital consulting wing. According to Peter Oosterveer, the Global Chief Executive of Arcadis, the latest development marks another significant milestone in the company’s journey to “maximise impact for our clients.”
Oosterveer continued, “As I witnessed at first hand at COP26 last year, the world of tomorrow can be so much better than today. Mitigating and reducing the impact of climate change to enable healthier lives, thriving nature, effortless transport and more enjoyable places. With policymakers rightly focused on ‘building back better’ and a green recovery, we have the ambition, deep industry knowledge and now a focused global operating structure in place to make this a reality and help create a more resilient and sustainable future.”
The design and consultancy organisation for natural and built assets has now transitioned from a country-led operating model, to collaborate across borders in new global business areas. The alterations, which came into effect at the start of 2022, see the creation of three new business areas: resilience, places and mobility. Each business area will consist of globally diverse organisations that work together for Arcadis clients around the world. The three businesses will be headed by Global Presidents, who report directly to Arcadis’ Chief Operating Officer, Alan Brookes – a member of the Global Executive Leadership Team.
Brookes commented, “The move to the Global structure marks an exciting new chapter at Arcadis. Our laser focus on clients won’t change but the new structure will enhance collaboration of our teams across the world, enabling our clients to benefit from our collective expertise and a joined-up approach. Importantly, the new structure will allow us to scale sustainable and digital solutions where we can have the most impact with clients.”
Heather Polinsky – the former Chief Operating Officer in North America for Arcadis – will lead the resilience business area. With climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity presenting existential threats to people around the world, her team will provide holistic sustainable solutions for clients. Building on Arcadis’ expertise in energy transition, climate adaption, environmental remediation and PFAS removal schemes, and clean water management, the resilience team will work in collaboration with public, private and regulated clients to create a more resilient future.
Mark Cowlard – previously Arcadis’ UK CEO – will meanwhile lead the places business area. This focuses on creating smart and sustainable places for owners, investors, users and communities across the real estate sector, with the construction and operation of buildings currently generating up to 40% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. The business area will bring together global expertise and work closely with Arcadis’ design and architecture practice, CallisonRTKL, to develop innovative, future-facing solutions for the places people live, work, play, and learn; as well as the transport hubs which are critical to keep the world moving.
Greg Steele – who was previously the Executive Leadership Team member for the Asia and Pacific region – will head the mobility business area. With better transport links crucial to creating thriving and connected cities and communities, the global mobility business will work closely with transport owners, operators and contractors to deliver design, asset and program management and new mobility solutions across the world. The business area will focus on creating greener and cleaner solutions, drawing on Arcadis’ experience in rail, electric vehicle adoption and active travel projects.
