Arcadis has announced that Heather Polinsky is to become the company’s new chief executive.

Polinsky, a 26-year veteran of the company and global president for resilience and mobility, has been nominated as new CEO by its supervisory board.

She will assume the role on 1 March 2026 with her appointment submitted for shareholder approval at the annual general meeting on 20 May 2026. She will be based in Amsterdam.

Alan Brookes will step down as CEO and chair of the executive board on 1 March 2026.

Michiel Lap, chair of the supervisory board, said: “Arcadis is focused on reinvigorating growth and strengthening its market position and this is the right moment for new leadership to take those priorities forward as we prepare for the next strategic cycle.

“As part of the board’s long-term succession process, Heather has been actively preparing for expanded leadership responsibilities.”

Polinsky said she was “honoured” to be nominated as CEO adding: “My priority is to drive growth, strengthen performance and accelerate the actions needed to position Arcadis for its next phase of success.

“My experience across our water, energy, environment and transport businesses has shown me the strength of our people and the impact we deliver globally. I look forward to working with colleagues worldwide to deliver on our ambitions with pace and focus.”

Polinsky joined Arcadis in 1999 from the US Army Environmental Command and is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across engineering, science and advisory disciplines.

She joined the Arcadis Executive Leadership Team in 2023 as president for the resilience global business area.