All change at WS Atkins as Clarke steps down
KEITH Clarke is stepping down as chief executive of engineering consultancy WS Atkins after eight years, paving the way for German physicist Uwe Krueger to take on the role later this year.
Clarke has led Atkins since 2003, steering the company through its difficult relationship with London Underground operator Metronet, which resulted in a £121.3m exceptional loss for the company in 2007.
The company has since built a strong recovery through contracts won across the Middle East, and with its ongoing work at the London 2012 Olympic Park in Stratford.
Clarke began his career as a chartered architect with a specialism in urban planning, and prior to joining Atkins held management positions at Skanska, Trafalgar House and Olympia and York.
His successor has a doctorate in complex system theory and brain research, and joins from private equity investment firm Texas Pacific Group.
Clarke plans to continue as a director at Atkins, where he will look after sustainability and the company’s Middle East business.