Alan Brookes to step down after 25 years at firm

Arcadis has announced American Heather Polinsky as its new chief executive pending shareholder approval.

Heather-Polinsky-685x454

Source: Arcadis

Heather Polinsky has been announced as the new chief executive of Arcadis

The design and engineering consultancy giant said that its supervisory board has nominated Polinsky as the next chief executive and chair of its executive board.

Polinsky, currently global president for resilience and mobility, will succeed Brit Alan Brookes, who is standing down after 25 years at the firm, including 14 years at EC Harris, which merged with Arcadis in 2011. Brookes had been chief executive since May 2023. 

Polinsky has worked for Arcadis for more than 25 years having joined from US Army Environmental Command in 1999. She has held various senior roles in the US for Arcadis, including chief operating officer and client development director for Arcadis’ federal development programme. More recently as global president for resilience she oversaw a department of 10,000 people.

Arcadis, which has its headquarters in the Netherlands, reported global turnover of nearly €5 billion in 2024, equivalent to £4.3bn at the current exchange rate. According to Building’s Top 150 Consultants analysis it generated UK fee income of £666m in 2023/24.

>>See also: Turnover and profit rise at Arcadis’s UK operations

>>See also: ‘Sometimes you pinch yourself.’ The boy from the Chester semi running €4bn Arcadis

Michiel Lap, chair of the supervisory board at Arcadis, said: “Arcadis is focused on reinvigorating growth and strengthening its market position, and this is the right moment for new leadership to take those priorities forward as we prepare for the next strategic cycle. As part of the board’s long-term succession process, Heather has been actively preparing for expanded leadership responsibilities.”

Polinsky said: “My experience across our water, energy, environment, and transport businesses has shown me the strength of our people and the impact we deliver globally. I look forward to working with colleagues worldwide to deliver on our ambitions with pace and focus.”

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