Article posted on: 24 Dec 2018
Atkins announces new Saudi Arabia Country Director
Atkins, one of the world s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies and a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is pleased to announce that Rick Hancock has joined its design & engineering business as Country Director for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Rick has had a long and distinguished career in international property, development and project management in Australia, Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East, latterly based in the UAE with Cumming Corporation, the project management and cost consulting firm, and previously with Faithful+Gould following its acquisition of Confluence in 2013.
 
 Commenting on his appointment, Rick Hancock said:  I am delighted to be heading up Atkins  design and engineering operations in Saudi Arabia. The company has a long and proud history of working on some of the country s most iconic projects, and this gives us the credibility and knowledge to play a significant role in building its exciting future. A large part of that revolves around its own people, whose development and nurturing form one of our key priorities and core values. We already have an established nucleus of Saudi talent in our team   diligent, astute and highly capable people, of whom ten per cent are women. We look forward to welcoming and training many more, and to offering them rewarding and fulfilling careers in a sustainable business through which they can contribute to their country's future success, the growth and diversification of its economy and to the delivery of its Economic Vision 2030. 
 
 Rick s appointment comes at a time when Atkins  operations in Saudi Arabia have never been busier. In addition to its original involvement in the delivery of the Riyadh Metro, which will soon transform the city s transport dynamics, Atkins is currently working on King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), re-masterplanning the area as a world-class, vibrant and integrated mixed-use destination and a broad range of other projects across Saudi Arabia that will unlock the value of its cities  master planning and improve the lifestyle of their residents.
 
 Atkins is also committed to growing its presence in the country, so that it can both learn from and share knowledge with Saudi citizens and develop a long-term partnership based on mutual trust and respect, as well as on an ambition to deliver projects to the very high standards. Atkins has worked on a number of capacity building programs in the country aimed at developing and enhancing local talent, including a chapter of its MEA region wide, networking and inclusion group for its female employees.
 
 Phil Malem, Atkins  Managing Director, Design and Engineering, added:  We are very excited by Rick s appointment. His extensive technical knowledge and understanding of Saudi Arabia s commercial, economic and social landscape form a powerful combination that stands him in good stead to build on our long track record in the country. Having him based there permanently also sends a strong message both to our partners and to our customers of our commitment to their success.