Former Powergen chief Ed Wallis will replace Jeffries when he retires on 1 January 2005.

WS Atkins has announced that Ed Wallis will replace chairman Mike Jeffries. Wallis will join the board as non-executive director until taking the chair on 1 January 2005 when Jeffries retires.

Wallis, 64, was formerly chairman and chief executive at Powergen, holding the roles between 1990 and 2003.

Chief executive of Atkins Keith Clarke said: “I am delighted to welcome Ed Wallis to the board. Ed brings highly relevant public sector, energy and transport related experiences to the company. His appointment will further strengthen the board and provide senior counsel to the managment team as we drive to develop and grow the business.”

Clarke also praised Jeffries for his work at Atkins. He said: “In the last couple of years in particular he has done a fantastic job in helping to restore the fortunes of the business.”