Global engineering, consulting and mobility services group Egis has appointed transport industry veteran Mike Birch as its new Transportation Director for the UK and Ireland, a move that underlines the company’s ambitions to further expand its presence across the region’s transport infrastructure market.
Birch joins the business with more than 35 years of experience spanning both the public and private sectors, having built a career delivering some of the UK’s most significant transport and infrastructure projects.
Most recently, he served as Mass Transit Director at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where he led the development of a £3 billion programme aimed at delivering a new tram network for the region. The project represents one of the UK’s most important public transport initiatives and places Birch among the sector’s most experienced leaders.
Before that, he held senior positions at major engineering consultancies including Jacobs and Ramboll, working across all key transport sectors — roads, railways, ports and aviation. His experience also extends to board-level roles within joint ventures involved in nationally significant infrastructure schemes such as HS2, Crossrail and several strategic highways projects.
In his new position, Birch will oversee the growth and delivery of Egis’ transport activities across the UK and Ireland. A key priority will be bringing together the company’s various transport capabilities, strengthening relationships with clients and delivery partners, and ensuring the business is well positioned to respond to evolving market demands.
His appointment comes at a time when transport projects are increasingly being delivered through collaborative partnerships and locally driven programmes, requiring greater integration between sectors and stakeholders.
Egis says the move supports its wider strategy to expand its footprint across the UK and Irish transport markets, building on recent successes in light rail, heavy rail, highways and active travel projects.
Commenting on the appointment, François Basselot, Managing Director of Egis UK and Ireland, described Birch’s arrival as a strategically important step for the company.
“This is a strategically important appointment for Egis as we continue to grow our transportation division in the UK and Ireland,” Basselot said. “Mike brings a unique combination of consultancy and client-side experience, as well as a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver complex transport programmes successfully.”
Birch said his experience leading major projects from the client side has given him valuable insight into the type of support infrastructure clients need.
“Having led a major transport programme from the client side, I understand what good consultancy support looks like and where it can sometimes fall short,” he said. “Egis combines strong technical expertise with global reach, and I see a real opportunity to bring those strengths together in a more connected way across the UK and Ireland.”
With transport investment remaining a priority across both countries, Egis believes Birch’s experience will play a central role in supporting future growth while helping clients navigate increasingly complex infrastructure challenges.
- Latest
- Trending
ADVERTISEMENT
