New chief executive for Atkins

UK-based engineering and design consultant Atkins has appointed Dr Uwe Krueger to succeed retiring Keith Clarke as chief executive. Mr Clarke will step down on 31 July after eight years in the role, and Dr Krueger will join the board on 14 June and take the reins as chief executive on 1 August.

Dr Krueger was most recently working for private equity investment company Texas Pacific Group, and has also held leadership positions at German contractor Hochtief, including CEO of Central and Eastern Europe.

Atkins chairman Allan Cook praised Mr Clarke's tenure at the helm of the company, "Keith is retiring as chief executive, having steered the group back to being a high performing business, successfully navigated a world recession and charted the course for growth.

"This is a natural time for him to hand the baton over to Uwe Krueger to continue the Group's development as a multi-national organisation."

Mr Clarke will remain at Atkins as director of sustainability to assist with the development of the company's Middle East business.