Press Release - Turner & Townsend, the global professional services business, has appointed James Hardy as a Director in its UK Advisory team as the business eyes further growth in its sustainability offer. The business has also announced the addition of two key senior appointments in our US operations: Mark Blumkin joins as Executive Vice President for the USA infrastructure sector while Jennifer Rimmer comes on board as Senior USA Vice President for the government and public sector.

James will support the expansion of Turner & Townsend's sustainability team as it meets growing demand from clients shaping strategies to support net zero goals. James was previously Head of Climate Change and Energy at the Greater London Authority (GLA) where he has helped drive the capital's efforts on net-zero and fuel poverty alleviation over the last eight years. Under his leadership, the GLA team implemented many of the city's major sustainability programmes, including the Mayor's Retrofit Accelerators, Warmer Homes, Solar Together London, London Power and the London Community Energy Fund.

With extensive experience delivering major transportation, energy, and water infrastructure programs, Mark will lead the expansion of our infrastructure offerings in the US, as recent legislation opens major new opportunities for expansion in the sector. Previously he served in many prominent roles including Managing Director of Deloitte's Infrastructure and Value Engineering Consultant at the NYC Office of Management and Budgets.

Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector to deliver complex real estate, infrastructure, and energy projects. She has led major economic development programmes with a strong emphasis on resiliency, equity, and environmental health and justice.

Before joining us, Jennifer served in many varied and significant roles throughout her career, including Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Director of Strategic Initiatives and Sustainability for engineering consulting firm AECOM.

Peter McGettrick, Managing Director, UK Advisory, said:

"Our sustainability team has grown significantly in the last 12 months following a number of key appointments, including to support a new phase of the BEIS-backed Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator (SHRA).

"As we create a leading proposition in this market and build on Turner & Townsend's reputation as a centre for excellence in net zero, we are harnessing the best minds inside and outside our business. James has extensive knowledge of and experience in the sustainability sector and will play a key role in transforming the performance for our clients' projects and programmes."

John Robbins, Managing Director for the USA, said: "With the signing of the landmark $1.2tn Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), we find ourselves at the beginning of a historic era of investment and growth in our nation's infrastructure and public buildings. These are vital to supporting and accelerating economic development, commerce, security and safety.

Mark and Jennifer's profound understanding of the infrastructure and public sectors is unique. Their creative approaches to problem-solving will enable us to support our clients in delivering projects that will improve the lives of millions of people across the country.

Jennifer Rimmer said: "Supporting governments at all levels to deliver assets that help provide vital services to the American people will transform our nation and help create a safer, more sustainable, productive and inclusive world.

I am happy to join a team that is deeply passionate about rebuilding our infrastructure and delivering projects that connect, protect, and uplift our communities. I am looking forward to building on the firm's history of success delivering major public sector projects around the world.

Mark Blumkin added: "The public sector and its private sector partners are beginning to plan, design and execute projects and programs funded by the historic IIJA.

I'm excited to join a team that is ardent about helping our clients to realise the promise of the IIJA and deliver projects that improve commerce, mobility, safety, resilience and equity for the public.

These appointments come at a pivotal moment in our expansion in North America, as the infrastructure and public sectors are a key priority to help us achieve double growth in the region by 2025. 

Source: Press Release