BrazilMott MacDonald in UAE adds Edward Forrester as future of mobility leader
International engineering and management consultancy Mott MacDonald has appointed Edward Forrester as its Future Mobility Planner and Global Coordinator in the UAE, with Forrester to focus on future transport advisory in areas such as autonomous and electric vehicles.
In the face of rapid changes to how we move from A to B, companies and governments are increasingly exploring how the future will look. Consultancy firms, to provide clients with up-to-date considerations, have begun appointing specialists. In line with this trend, Edward Forrester has been appointed by Mott MacDonald as the Future Mobility Planner and Global Coordinator for the United Arab Emirates – supported by Glenn Lyons, the firm’s Chair of Future Mobility Initiatives.
The mobility industry is set for a shakeup as the focus on sustainability shifts demand away from personal vehicle ownership to a host of other options, from self-locomotion (walking, cycling) and public transport to carpooling and autonomous taxis. The shift in mobility is likely to impact a wide array of sectors, requiring expertise to identify how regional industries may be impacted by changes in how humans get from A to B.
One of the firms active in the space is Mott MacDonald. And one area of activity is the UAE, where the firm has for the past ten years worked on various transportation and infrastructure projects, including the Group Rapid Transport system at Bluewaters in Dubai and as the infrastructure design and transportation consultant for the Masdar public transportation system. More recently it has begun adding additional expertise to its ranks.
Joining as the firm’s new mobility lead in the UAE, Forrester has previously worked for Atkins since his graduation with a Master of Engineering in Civil & Structural Engineering from the University of Liverpool in 2011. He was initially a Graduate Engineer, before, in 2013, being promoted to Highways Engineer and Project Manager – during which he worked on a number of projects in Qatar, the UAE and Azerbaijan. In 2015, Forrester took on the role of Project Manager and Engineer for the firm’s Intelligent Mobility unit, working out of Dubai.
The new appointment sees Forrester take on the role of Future Mobility Planner and Global Coordinator in the UAE for Mott MacDonald. He brings extensive experience in the region to the role and will focus on the development of future transport possibilities related to the rollout of autonomous vehicles, electric vehicle roadmaps, policies around connected and autonomous vehicles, and advising government on mobility, such as with respect to mobility as a service. The role will see him work with Professor Glenn Lyons, recently appointed as the firm’s Chair of Future Mobility Initiatives.
Commenting on Forrester’s appointment, Andy Stevenson, Mott MacDonald’s future mobility leader in the Middle East, said; “Edward’s civil engineering background and passion for technology and sustainability gives him the ideal balance for understanding and applying existing engineering principles to exciting and emerging transport technologies. His experience will add significant skills, knowledge and expertise to our existing team so that we’re perfectly placed to support our clients, develop our staff and deliver solutions that are fit for the future.”
Earlier this year, the firm appointed Chris Seymour as its Managing Director of its Middle East operations, which includes a regional headcount of around 1300 staff across the GCC and Iraq.
