How Mott MacDonald’s New Events Lead Pushes Sustainability

Mott MacDonald has promoted Global Discipline Lead - Engineering Sciences

Ruth Shilston MBE to Major Events and Venues Lead Europe.

The move will further capitalise on her commitment to sustainability as well as deep company knowledge.

Ruth will assist the company’s clients at all stages of venue development, from initial strategising to sustainability consultancy and supporting their long-term legacy.

Having joined Mott MacDonald in 2023 as Technical Director, Ruth has maintained a focus on sustainability, resilience and climate adaptation, obtaining an MBE for her services to sustainable engineering in the 2026 New Year Honours List.

“Building on Mott MacDonald’s breadth of expertise and 75 plus years heritage in this market, my ambition is to work with our clients to design venues that are integrated into our cities, sustainable in their operation and capable of creating an even more outstanding experience for players, performers, spectators and communities,” she says.

A passion for engineering

From studying Engineering Design to currently serving as global lead for engineering sciences at Mott MacDonald and a trustee and fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Ruth is a seasoned engineering professional.

“Ruth steps into this role at an exciting time for our buildings business as we continue to grow in our distinct markets and support clients adapt and innovate in an ever changing landscape,” says Mark Ewen, Mott MacDonald’s Managing Director for Buildings UK and Europe.

“Ruth’s appointment further strengthens Mott MacDonald’s ability to bring together deep sector knowledge, multidisciplinary expertise and a clear understanding of the role venues play in shaping successful places."

Shaping successful venues

Ruth has been involved in some high-profile venues and events projects throughout her 20-year career, including:

• FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
• London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Anfield and Brentford Community Stadium 

Her most recent project involved leading the engineering input for the Women’s Super League’s new women’s football stadium design guidelines.

An advocate for women’s sport, she wants to continue to champion related venues, among the extensive range that Mott MacDonald works on.

The company delivers new builds, modernisations and expansions across the sports, entertainment, culture and conferencing fields. 

New data centre lead

Ruth’s appointment follows Vartan Vartanian joining Mott MacDonald’s advisory and programme delivery business as Director of Data Center Projects - UK and Europe in June 2026.

The company newly created the role as the demand for AI and data centres surges. 

Based in the company’s Madrid office, Vartan will build on Mott MacDonald’s data centre capabilities in the UK and the rest of Europe, supporting clients and internal teams in areas such as design, technical leadership and programme execution.

“I’m excited to be joining Mott MacDonald at such an important time for the data centre sector. The region is seeing strong growth in digital infrastructure, and I look forward to working closely with our teams and clients through a collaborative approach, applying technical leadership, practical delivery expertise and programme delivery excellence in support of high-quality outcomes for our clients,” he said.

“We are focused on bringing the very best people, expertise and capabilities into our business to help deliver on behalf of clients. The data centre industry is fast-evolving and I’m delighted that Vartan has joined. His sector expertise and insights are crucial to Mott MacDonald’s commitment to our data centre clients and growth ambitions in this hugely important market,” said Kerry Hancock, Mott MacDonald’s Managing Director of Advisory and Programme Delivery. 

Mott Macdonald's Partners:

AtkinsRéalis: Jointly appointed with Mott MacDonald by Rolls-Royce Submarines as fissile design partners for the expansion of its Raynesway site in Derby, announced January 2025.

WSP: Working alongside Mott MacDonald on multiple projects, including the site masterplan and programme management office for Pioneer Park near Sellafield, and a £25m (US$34m) contract supporting environmental/planning permitting for the Wylfa small modular reactor programme (February 2026).

Cambridge Atomworks: Mott MacDonald signed an MoU (March 2026) with this Cambridge-based nuclear start-up, offering technical support on engineering, safety, licensing and systems integration for its Odin microreactor programme.

Balfour Beatty:  Balfour Beatty re-appointed Mott MacDonald and Atkins to its Strategic Design Partnership, while also welcoming Jacobs as a new member, continuing collaboration on transport and energy infrastructure projects. 

Leed Engineering & Construction: Mott MacDonald entered an agreement to acquire this Australian civil contractor, which has delivered projects across metropolitan, regional and remote parts of Australia, with the tie-up aimed at creating an integrated design-and-construction offering focused on water infrastructure.