Arcadis names new regional boss
Consulting business Arcadis has announced the arrival of Debbie Francis as its incoming city executive for the Northern Powerhouse, making her the firm’s senior lead for the region.
Francis, who has now started in her role, will also represent Arcadis on the board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, where it is a founding partner. She replaces Jonathan Moore, a 30-year Arcadis veteran, who transition to a role as business development executive for the Arcadis Gen digital business.
Arcadis has three North West offices, in Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington, and three others in the North of England. Working from Manchester, Francis will bring more than 20 years’ experience at executive and board level across a range of sectors.
She joins from Direct Rail Services, a rail freight business where she was managing director for four years. She has also held non-executive director roles at Cumbria Education Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Care NHS Trust in Merseyside and, currently, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust.
As Arcadis’ city executive, she will work with transport providers, local authority leaders and the private sector across the region to help them navigate the evolving demands of the urban environment, the consulting giant said.
Francis said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the Arcadis team, clients and partners and building on these strong foundations to ensure that the benefits and opportunities from a renewed investment in the North can be fully realised right across this dynamic region.”
Peter Hogg, UK cities director at Arcadis, added: “Debbie’s expertise and breadth of experience will undoubtedly help Arcadis build on the work we have done to grow our presence in Manchester and the North to date.
“With her strong network and eminence in transportation and regeneration sectors that are at the heart of the region’s plans for the future, she is just the person to ensure that we are well equipped to continuing offering the best solutions for our clients, now and in the future.”
