Two key appointments at AtkinsRéalis will strengthen the company’s leadership in Asia, Middle East & Australia, UK & Ireland.
AtkinsRéalis has announced the appointment of Richard Robinson as president, Asia, Middle East & Australia (AMEA) and Chris Ball as president for UK & Ireland, effective from 1 March 2025.
Richard Robinson, currently president of UK & Ireland, will oversee the company’s considerable expansion in AMEA, building on its long-standing local presence in rapidly growing markets through the delivery of major infrastructure, transportation and clean energy programmes.
Chris Ball, currently chief operating officer of AtkinsRéalis’ nuclear business, joins the company’s executive committee and will be responsible for the company’s significant presence across the UK & Ireland, with over 12,000 employees providing end-to-end engineering, programme management and advisory services.
Ian Edwards, president and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, said: “These internal appointments to lead two of our core regions reflect the strength and experience we have within AtkinsRéalis. I am confident that their knowledge of our organisation, our clients and the countries we operate in will strengthen our ability to drive growth and deliver excellence in the UK, Ireland and AMEA and I’m delighted to welcome both Chris and Richard into their new roles within the company.”
Richard Robinson joined AtkinsRéalis in 2019. He has over 25 years’ experience of overseeing transformational levels of business growth in senior leadership positions in heavy industry and engineering. With a wealth of international experience, including leading large businesses in the Middle East, prior to joining the company in 2019, Robinson was chief operating officer at HS2 and has also held senior positions at AECOM, BAA Heathrow and Anglo American.
Chris Ball has over 20 years’ experience at AtkinsRéalis. Before taking on the role as chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis’ nuclear business globally in 2023 he spent five years as managing director for its nuclear EMEA business and ten years as managing director for energy in UK & Europe. As president for UK & Ireland, Ball will be responsible for maintaining and growing AtkinsRéalis’ market leading position across transportation, infrastructure, water, defence, security and technology.
