AECOM appoints new head of defence for UK, Europe and India

In his new role, Mr Robinson will be responsible for leading the growth of AECOM’s defence sector engagements with clients such as the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), US Department of Defense (DoD) in the region and defence suppliers, as the business continues to support increased investment by governments in defence and security. He will also play a key role in driving cross-business collaboration as part of AECOM’s global defence sector leadership.

Mr Robinson brings more than 30 years’ experience in the sector, including 23 years’ service as a Royal Engineer officer in the British Army. During his service, he held multiple roles in the UK and overseas, and for the UK MOD in Whitehall. This included commanding more than 1,200 service personnel in an Engineer Regiment and Task Force on operations, which delivered complex engineering projects worldwide.

In Whitehall, Mr Robinson advised ministers and senior officials on strategic resource planning, military strategic planning and communication strategies used pan-government by the UK MOD. He also oversaw the development and procurement of multi-billion-pound complex capability platforms. Skilled in project, programme and portfolio management, he has extensive crisis response leadership and risk management experience in the most demanding of circumstances.

Mr Robinson joins AECOM from Turner & Townsend, where he served initially as UK, and then global, defence sector lead. For nine years, he led the company’s growth strategy, establishing its presence in UK MOD and global defence supply chains, with a presence in UK, Australia and North American markets. He championed and established the company’s Military Network programme and has actively supported many veterans in transition.

AECOM is one of the UK MOD’s and US DoD’s leading infrastructure and programme delivery partners. AECOM’s multi-disciplinary team is currently delivering the Catterick Integrated Care Campus, a first-of-its-kind MOD/National Health Service integrated healthcare facility, is engaged across Europe with US Visiting Forces, and provides support to governments and their defence suppliers in the region. AECOM has supported the US DoD mission in Europe for more than 30 years, providing comprehensive master planning, architecture, engineering, and environmental services across the region.

Mr Robinson’s appointment follows the UK government publishing its Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in June this year and increasing defence and security investments being made by many nations globally. As part of the UK SDR, the government plans to assess critical gaps in the MOD’s infrastructure and invest in its estate, including in training hubs and service family accommodation, which will be set out in its forthcoming Recapitalisation Plan.

“Deepening longstanding relationships and increasing collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to modernising defence infrastructure and programme delivery,” said Richard Whitehead, chief executive, Europe and India, AECOM. “Key to success is harnessing the expertise of specialists who have a rich knowledge of, and deep pride in, the sector. Ed’s track record speaks for itself – he understands the complexities and demands of military operations and has proven he can deliver the infrastructure and programmes necessary to support them.

“As the UK and other European governments ramp up investment in defence and security, Ed’s leadership will be instrumental in helping us deliver the projects and programmes that strengthen national security and support our armed forces now and into the future.”

“The global defence sector is evolving rapidly,” said Ed Robinson, head of defence, UK, Europe and India, AECOM. “The UK’s own SDR has a bold ambition to make Britain safer, with a decade-long plan in response to a rapidly changing and challenging global security landscape.

“AECOM is renowned for its established infrastructure and programme delivery partnerships with the UK MOD and US DoD at a time when they are undergoing significant modernisation. I’m incredibly excited to lead a team of specialists to build on these partnerships and forge new ones, as we adapt to a changing world.”