Michelle Whitfield-Jones brings over 15 years of experience in building communities around knowledge, innovation, and collaboration across a range of sectors, from science and technology to construction. As ACE’s new membership and events director, she shares her journey into consultancy and engineering, her vision for engaging members, and her plans to make ACE events even more impactful for the industry.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey so far and what drew you to the consultancy and engineering sector?
My career has been rooted in building communities around knowledge, innovation and collaboration. For over 15 years I’ve worked across large-scale B2B and B2C events, launching and growing platforms that bring industries together - from science and technology to construction and the built environment.
I'm particularly drawn to the sector's real-world impact. These are disciplines shaping how we live, build and decarbonise our future, and they sit at the intersection of policy, innovation and delivery. Having worked closely with engineers, architects, contractors and public-sector stakeholders, I’ve seen first-hand how vital strong consultancy voices are - and how powerful they can be when connected, visible and supported.
What excites you most about joining ACE as membership and events director, and what are your top priorities in this role?
I’m excited about ACE’s position at the heart of the sector - representing consultancies that are shaping national infrastructure, climate resilience and economic growth. My top priorities are to ensure members clearly see - and feel - the value of being part of ACE. That means developing our membership proposition, delivering events that support your business growth and leadership. We have a real opportunity to lead the next era of infrastructure.
How do you plan to engage and grow ACE’s membership, especially in a sector that’s evolving so quickly?
For me, it starts with relationships and relevance. ACE has a strong and committed membership and it’s important to stay close to what members care about as the sector continues to evolve.
By listening carefully and keeping ACE’s work focused on the issues that really matter day-to- day, we can continue to offer meaningful value. I’m also keen to create more chances for members to connect with each other, share experiences and learn together. That sense of belonging and shared purpose is a big part of what makes ACE special and attracts companies to join membership.
Events are a key part of ACE’s offering – what innovative approaches or formats are you looking to bring to our events calendar?
Events are one of the most enjoyable and effective ways ACE brings people together. My focus is on making sure they feel welcoming, relevant and genuinely useful, with plenty of opportunity for conversation and connection.
ACE’s close relationship with government is a real strength. Events are a great way to bring members closer to policy thinking and decision-makers, while also ensuring the industry’s voice is heard. The Delivering Infrastructure 2050 conference in London on 30 June 2026 is a good example, creating space for long-term thinking, fresh ideas and collaboration, and reinforcing ACE’s role as a trusted convenor for the sector.
From your perspective, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing consultancy and engineering today, and how can ACE help members navigate them?
The biggest opportunities lie in the sector’s central role in tackling climate change, driving digital transformation and delivering complex infrastructure in a more sustainable, inclusive way. At the same time, challenges around skills, talent retention, regulatory change, funding pressures and pace of delivery are very real.
ACE can play a crucial role by being a strong collective voice, a trusted source of insight, and a connector between members, policymakers and industry partners. By sharing best practice, amplifying member expertise and creating spaces for collaboration, ACE can help consultancies not just respond to change, but lead it.
Outside of work, what do you do to decompress?
Outside of work, I enjoy wild swimming, hiking, and yoga, with recent trips exploring Dartmoor and Pembrokeshire.
For membership inquiries, contact membership@acenet.co.uk.
