Firm announces restructure at building and places business

Aecom has promoted its European boss of its building and places business to the global role.

Richard Whitehead has been with the firm a decade and will take over from Hong Kong-based Sean Chiao.

Whitehead started out at Bullen and Partners before it was bought by Aecom in 2005, later being merged into another Aecom acquisition Faber Maunsell.

Aecom roundtable 12 July 2019 _DSC 043

Source: Tom Howard

Richard Whitehead has been with Aecom nearly a decade

He left before the Aecom takeover to work at Atkins and Jacobs returning to Aecom at the start of 2013.

Whitehead is being replaced by Jo Streeten, who has been with the business 15 years.

A former UK head of its programme, project and cost management business, she said: “I take up this role at an extraordinary time when the built environment sector faces significant pressures. The Aecom buildings and places Europe and India team brings innovative thinking and industry leading approaches in critical areas such as cost and carbon.

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Speaking about Whitehead’s appointment, Aecom president Lara Poloni said: “Richard’s impressive technical expertise and focus on digital transformation across transportation and civil infrastructure, social infrastructure, technology, and commercial real estate markets will ensure our teams deliver the intelligent design and innovative solutions our clients demand.”

Joanna Streeten headshot

Jo Streeton will take over from Whitehead

Chiao, who has been with the business 25 years, will become an Aecom Fellow which, the firm said, means “he will leverage his international industry leadership to further drive Aecom’s commitment to technical excellence, quality, learning and development, and career advancement across its buildings and places business”.

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