Atkins appoints managing director for its Power business

Atkins has appointed a new managing director for its power business as part of the company’s strategic aims to further expand its energy capability, with a particular focus in the Middle East.

Phil Malem has been appointed to the role and will be based in Abu Dhabi. Phil has previously played a leading role in the growth of Atkins’ nuclear business as strategy director and deputy MD.

In his new role, Phil takes charge of leading the growth and direction of Atkins’ worldwide power business, for which the key markets are the UK and Middle East. The business currently provides high end infrastructure engineering support services for conventional generation, transmission & distribution, marine renewables, biomass, and energy from waste.

Atkins’ Energy business employs over 1,500 people based in offices throughout the UK and Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East. The business operates across the power, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors with a revenue of £170 million in 2013.

Phil commented:

The Middle East is a particularly important region for us with lots of opportunities for innovative work, and I am looking forward to taking on this role at such an exciting time for the business. Our experience in the power generation sector in the UK will bring added value to clients in the Middle East and Atkins has a deep understanding of the particular challenges that face the power sector in this region, from grid integration of renewables to building a nuclear industry. I’m also eager to expand what Power does in the UK and the rest of the markets in which Atkins operates.

Martin Grant, CEO of Atkins’ Energy business, stated:

I am delighted that Phil has chosen to take up this role. His knowledge and understanding of clients’ needs in the Middle East as well as the UK means that he will be able to steer the expansion of our Power business and position us as the lead international energy consultancy.

Energy is a key sector focus area and it is seen as a driving force of growth within Atkins. Significant projects that the Atkins team is working on include the UAE’s peaceful nuclear new build programme, offshore substation design for offshore wind farms in the UK, extending the life of operational oil and gas platforms in the UK North Sea, and as architect engineer on ITER the world’s largest fusion reactor.