James Harris

James Harris took on the role of Group managing director in July 2019. He’s had a leading role in several of our core initiatives such as embedding carbon reduction in operational and project decision making and expanding support for clients to tackle climate change and build resilience. James was a member of the UK Green Construction Board’s Infrastructure Working Group, which produced the seminal Infrastructure Carbon Review (ICR) for HM Treasury in 2013, followed by the world’s first international standard for managing infrastructure carbon, PAS 2080. With the ICR setting out the principle that major cost efficiencies could be achieved by decarbonising the delivery and operation of infrastructure assets, PAS 2080 explained how to do it.

James is also known for his pivotal contribution in our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, both in galvanising colleague engagement and championing collaboration with clients to advance improvements in the wider industry. He was named a Leading Ally Executive by LGBT+ professional networking organisation OUTstanding together with the Financial Times.

James joined Mott MacDonald as a graduate after studying civil and structural engineering at University College Cardiff, beginning his career as an engineer in our UK water business in 1990 before moving overseas to work on some of the company’s major civil engineering projects in Hong Kong. James then returned to the UK in 2002 and held a number of senior roles before becoming managing director of Mott MacDonald’s water business and its Mott MacDonald Bentley joint venture. James was appointed to the executive board in 2017, when he became managing director for its UK and Europe region.