Atkins has appointed Colette Carroll as managing director of its transportation division for the UK and Europe.

Carroll joined Atkins in September 2022 as strategic rail market director with responsibility for its UK rail offering. 

As managing director of transportation, she will oversee Atkins’ rail, highways and local transport markets, ranging from the delivery of major engineering projects to the provision of strategic consultancy services.

Prior to joining Atkins, Carroll held senior positions at HS2, including the role of land and property director.

She also worked in government, where she led a £7bn-plus rail franchise portfolio and worked on operational planning and infrastructure development for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In 2013, she was awarded OBE for services to the rail industry, and earlier this year was appointed to the board of the Rail Industry Association, the UK’s national trade body for suppliers to the railway industry.

Richard Robinson, Atkins UK and Europe CEO, said: “Colette’s extensive experience delivering major projects and her knowledge of the transportation sector will be invaluable as we continue to help clients navigate the complexities of decarbonisation while improving project performance through greater use of data and technology.”

Atkins’ work across the sector includes major rail programmes such as HS2, the East Coast Digital Programme and Network Rail’s southern region renewals programme, as well as a large portfolio of highways programmes, including the A14 upgrade and maintenance and improvement works across Surrey County Council’s 3,000-mile road network. 

Atkins also provides strategic consultancy services across the sector.

Meanwhile the Railway Industry Association (RIA), the voice of the UK rail supply community, has announced the appointment of a new chair and vice chair for the London and South region. 

Ryan Anderson, from Ricardo Rail, has been appointed as the new chair of the RIA London and South Leadership Group. 

He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the rail sector.

Taking up the vice chair position is Bryony Goldsmith from Arcadis. 

The RIA London and South Leadership Group works to foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, provide strategic direction and advocate for the continued growth and development of the railway sector in the region.