Mott MacDonald has strengthened its environmental consultancy with a strategic technical director appointment.

Richard Woodward has been appointed technical director in its environmental and sustainability services team, reinforcing its commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure and environmental excellence across the UK.

With nearly two decades of experience spanning both the public and private sectors, Woodward brings deep expertise in environmental impact assessment, environmental risk management, sustainable design and the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

He spent the last 15 years at the Environment Agency where he spearheaded flood infrastructure initiatives and shaped environmental deliverables that balance development with long-term sustainability. Most recently he was environment manager for the River Thames Scheme, the UK’s first flood resilience project to require a Development Consent Order (DCO), providing strategic leadership across all environmental aspects of the pre-application stage. 

He  joins a growing team, comprising more than 130 environmental and sustainability professionals across 17 offices nationwide. They play a pivotal role in delivering environmental planning and consultancy services across sectors including highways, rail, energy and water.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mott MacDonald at such a pivotal time for environmental consultancy. The scale and diversity of projects here offer a real opportunity to embed sustainability and resilience into infrastructure from the ground up. I look forward to working with talented colleagues across the UK to deliver vital infrastructure and other major developments to support economic growth and achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.”

Leah Parkinson has joined Muse as estates director. The expansion of the residential team will support its continued growth as Muse accelerates the delivery of its strong development pipeline, which includes nearly 15,000 homes with 30% affordable across 17 communities.

Parkinson has joined the New Homes and Places team with a focus on supporting regional offices in the North-west, Yorkshire and North-east and the Midlands, where she will work closely with local teams and partners.

In her previous role as head of client relations at Zenith Management, she led across the leasehold and build-to-rent sector, with oversight of a national portfolio of 3,300+ homes across 40 developments on behalf of clients and residents’ management companies.

On her appointment, she said: “Muse have built a strong reputation for creating vibrant communities that bring people together and which stand the test of time.

“With an exciting pipeline of transformative places across the country, I am looking forward to working with Muse’s partners and local teams to ensure that we continue to deliver outstanding places. That are thoughtfully designed neighbourhoods which prioritise quality, heart, and identity, and place people at their core.”

Stantec has appointed Paul Fry to be its new director for digital and innovation across the company’s growing water business. With more than three decades of experience in the water sector, Fry will support Stantec in harnessing digital tools, models and approaches to boost technical and delivery excellence, as the company works with clients delivering business plans through AMP8 and AMP9.

Fry joins Stantec from Mott MacDonald where he led the digital strategy and advisory capability, working extensively across the water, energy, and transport sectors. In his new role, he is bringing insights and approaches from other industries to both complement and challenge traditional delivery models in water.

Fry now holds a position in Stantec’s Water Executive Leadership Team.

He said: “I’m thrilled to rejoin the water sector at a time when the need for innovation has never been greater. Leading Stantec’s talented teams to align people, purpose, and technology is a privilege. I believe this approach will redefine how infrastructure is designed and delivered.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our teams come together to deliver unprecedented outcomes for our clients, their customers, and communities in a sector I’m incredibly passionate about and proud to be part of.”

Housebuilder The Hill Group has announced the appointment of Helen Rieman as business growth director, a newly created role designed to support the group’s plans for growth and strengthen its partnership approach to development.

In her new role, she is focusing on securing and building long-term partnerships with local authorities, housing associations and other public sector bodies.

Rieman brings a wealth of expertise spanning consultancy and delivery roles, with more than 20 years of experience in the residential development sector. She has a proven track record in leading large-scale, affordable-led regeneration projects and forging successful public-private partnerships. Most recently, she served as a board director at Wates Residential, where she helped drive substantial growth across London, the South, and Wales, doubling turnover and expanding the business’s strategic reach.

She said: I’m looking forward to helping shape Hill’s next chapter of growth and building new partnerships that accelerate housing delivery across the UK. With a strong team and a clear ambition, Hill is well placed to be a key partner to the public sector and to continue delivering places that people are proud to call home.”