Current Arcadis CEO Peter Oosterveer to retire with Alan Brookes set to take over next year.
Arcadis has announced that Peter Oosterveer is to retire as CEO in May 2023 and nominated current chief operating officer Alan Brookes as its new CEO.
The Arcadis supervisory board unanimously decided to nominate Brookes as the next Arcadis CEO and chair of the executive board and will propose his appointment to the shareholders of Arcadis, at the company’s AGM in May 2023.
Oosterveer joined Arcadis in 2017 as CEO and chair of the executive board and has successfully led the company in achieving its 2020 strategic targets, strengthening its balance sheet, resolving legacy issues, embedding a people-first culture across the organisation and driven improved financial performance.
He has led the company to become an industry leader in providing clients with sustainable solutions and cemented its reputation as a digital frontrunner. Oosterveer also repositioned the company for accelerated growth and scaling, demonstrated by Arcadis’s transition into global business areas and the recently announced acquisitions of IBI Group, DPS Group and Giftge Consult.
Since joining Arcadis in 2011 through the acquisition of EC Harris, CEO nominee Alan Brookes has established himself as an innovative leader and been instrumental to the strategic direction and operational successes of the company. He brings significant international senior leadership experience, a strong commercial and operational background,and extensive understanding of Arcadis.
As COO Brookes is leading the four global business areas (Resilience, Mobility, Places and Intelligence), including its global excellence centers. Prior to his current role Brookes headed the EMEA operations, Arcadis’ largest segment at that time. He has also played a key role in the outstanding performance of the UK business and the growth and improved focus in continental Europe.
Over the next six months, Oosterveer and Brookes will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition. Michiel Lap, chair of the Arcadis supervisory board commented: “We owe Peter our gratitude for the way he has transformed Arcadis into a leading integrated global design and consultancy player. Under his leadership, Arcadis has significantly improved its financial and non-financial results. Peter has united the company around a clear strategy of making impact for clients on some of the most important and pressing challenges of our time such as the energy transition and making net zero a reality for our clients. We wish Peter well and thank him for his important contributions to the company.
“Alan Brookes has significant experience in running international design and consultancy businesses and has been successful in transforming the company from a regional to a global operating structure. Alan’s vision, drive, people and performance focus make him the right person to guide Arcadis through the next chapter of profitable growth and success. We have confidence in a smooth leadership transition, whilst ensuring the successful integration of our recent acquisitions.”
Arcadis CEO Peter Oosterveer said: “I congratulate Alan on his nomination and look forward to working with him on the transition. Alan and I have been working closely together for the last five years, and he has been instrumental in implementing many of the operational and strategic initiatives which have improved the impact Arcadis has with its clients, as well as in creating strong financial and non-financial results.
“It has been both an honour and a privilege to lead Arcadis and I owe all Arcadians as well as the supervisory board my sincere thanks for the tremendous support I have received throughout my tenure. I am proud of what we have accomplished and leave the company in a very strong position to create further profitable growth. I am very pleased that the supervisory board has reacted constructively to my request to retire mid-way through my second term as CEO, which will allow me to enjoy more time with my family and to pursue a broad range of outside interests.”
Alan Brookes, Arcadis COO and CEO nominee, commented: “I am honoured to be nominated to lead Arcadis at this pivotal moment. We have solid foundations to build on and with the recent acquisitions are well placed to further advance our strategy to deliver the solutions that will genuinely improve the quality of life for the clients and communities we serve. I would also like to thank Peter for his remarkable leadership at Arcadis and look forward to working closely with him during the transition period.”
