In a strategic leadership move, global engineering and consultancy giant Mott MacDonald has announced Rick Hopper as the new Managing Director for the Middle East, effective immediately. This change comes as part of a broader regional realignment, with former Middle East MD Paul Hilton stepping into a larger role as Managing Director for Middle East, South Asia, and International Development.
Rick Hopper, who joined Mott MacDonald Saudi Arabia in 2023, quickly made his mark by accelerating the firm’s growth trajectory in the Kingdom. Bringing over 20 years of leadership experience, Rick is now set to oversee the company’s operations across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. His new role will see him spearheading strategic initiatives, strengthening client relationships, and driving high-impact infrastructure projects across the region.
“Our focus is to support the region’s bold ambitions through transformative engineering and consultancy solutions,” Rick said. “The Middle East’s growth story demands not just innovation but a deeply rooted commitment to sustainability and social value. I’m honoured to lead this charge.”
Adding to the reshuffle, Jonathan Looker has been appointed as Divisional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, succeeding Hopper. A Mott MacDonald veteran since 2002, Looker has held several senior positions including Sector Advisory Leader and Development Director for the Middle East. His role will be critical in delivering large-scale projects such as the Saudi giga projects, while also nurturing local talent and expanding business in key sectors like transport, water, energy, and buildings.
“Saudi Vision 2030 opens up unprecedented opportunities for sustainable growth,” Jonathan commented. “Our goal is to build a regionally grounded team with global reach, capable of delivering exceptional value and innovation.”
Paul Hilton, in his new regional role, will now oversee nearly 3,000 professionals working across transformative sectors including rail, aviation, water, power, and climate resilience. In a recent LinkedIn post, he reflected, “It’s been an incredible journey leading our Middle East business. I now look forward to leading a wider regional team and continuing to deliver projects that drive sustainable development and inclusive growth.”
With these leadership changes, Mott MacDonald reinforces its commitment to the Middle East and its vision for sustainable infrastructure, innovation, and impactful partnerships.
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