Mott MacDonald appoints Rick Hopper as MD for Saudi Arabia
Hopper will work with key public and private sector clients and partners to drive sustainable development in the Kingdom, while also building on the consultancy’s successful track record in the country
Mott MacDonald has announced Rick Hopper as the Managing Director of its business in Saudi Arabia. As part of his role, Hopper will work with key public and private sector clients and partners to drive sustainable development in the Kingdom, building on the consultancy’s track record in the infrastructure, energy, transportation, and building markets.
Having worked in operational leadership and strategic business development roles at Atkins and AECOM, Hopper has a deep understanding of KSA’s vision for growth and development. He has spent the last six years based in Riyadh, the statement from Mott MacDonald explained.
Paul Hilton, Managing Director of Mott MacDonald Middle East business said, “We are delighted that Hopper is joining us at a critical time, as we relaunch our Saudi business as a standalone entity. His local market knowledge, strategic vision and strong leadership will be a major asset, as we seek opportunities to provide strategic support to key clients and help to accelerate economic, social and environmental development in KSA.”
As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, Hopper has more than 25 years’ experience in the leadership of design and construction supervision teams, with 15 of these years spent in the Middle East and the rest spent in the USA and UK.
In late February 2022, Mott MacDonald said that senior appointments will boost its regional business and, in early November 2022, Compass appointed a new Regional Director of Project Management.
In his new role, Hopper will lead Mott MacDonald’s Saudi business as it enters an important new phase in its development as a newly formed standalone entity, headquartered in Riyadh.
Drawing on Mott MacDonald’s leadership of prestigious infrastructure and development projects worldwide and deep sector expertise, he will be positioning the business to provide key Saudi clients with strategic advice and early-stage engineering consultancy, the statement added.
One of Hopper’s priorities will be to expand the group’s diverse and inclusive team in Saudi Arabia, adding value and sustainability to major projects and the nation by creating career development opportunities for Saudi nationals at all levels.
On the appointment, Hopper remarked, “I am excited to join Mott MacDonald, a company that shares my values and ambition to help support sustainable and inclusive growth in Saudi Arabia. I look forward to creating opportunities for Saudi nationals and international advisory and sector specialists to work side by side sharing knowledge and expertise and driving sustainable development in this fast-changing market.”
In early January 2023, KEO appointed Jason Morris as MD of its Project and Construction Management Division.
