AtkinsRéalis appoints Julian Hill to lead rail growth

AtkinsRéalis has appointed Julian Hill as Head of Rail for Asia, Middle East and Australia and Global Rail Development Director, putting him in charge of the group's rail growth efforts across a regional project pipeline valued at more than USD $3.9 trillion.

Hill will lead the rail business across Asia, the Middle East and Australia, working with transportation leaders in each sub-region. In his global development role, he will also work with the company's rail leadership on its highest-priority pursuits.

The appointment comes as governments across the region continue to invest in metro systems, national rail programmes, freight corridors and high-speed rail networks. The scale of planned rail and transit schemes across the AMEA region has increased the need for dedicated senior leadership.

Hill brings more than 30 years of experience in rail and infrastructure projects across the region. He joins from NEOM, where he served as Executive Director, Regional Infrastructure, overseeing major works linked to the Saudi development project.

Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Rail. He also spent more than a decade at AtkinsRéalis, where he led the rail business in the Middle East and Africa.

His track record includes leadership roles on several large Gulf rail schemes, including Riyadh Metro, Doha Metro, Dubai Metro, Lusail Light Rail Transit and Etihad Rail. He has also worked on rail developments in Hong Kong and other Asian markets.

Regional focus

AtkinsRéalis has worked on several major rail and transit projects across the region, including Riyadh Metro, Doha Metro, Dubai Metro and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link. In the AMEA market, its work spans strategic advisory, planning, design, engineering, systems integration and programme delivery.

That helps explain the significance of the hire. Rail investment has become a central part of transport policy in many urban and national infrastructure plans, as cities expand metro networks and governments pursue cross-country and freight connections.

Richard Robinson, President, Asia, Middle East and Australia, AtkinsRéalis, said: "From metro expansions in rapidly growing cities to national rail programmes, freight corridors and emerging high-speed rail networks, rail is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of mobility. We are delighted to welcome Julian back to AtkinsRéalis as we continue to grow our rail business in AMEA. Julian's extensive track record spans many of the programmes that have transformed how people and goods move across the region. His previous experience with our business, combined with the industry relationships, market insight and leadership experience he has built throughout his career, makes him exceptionally well placed to help our clients navigate increasingly complex infrastructure environments and deliver their ambitions."

Hill's return also gives the group an executive with direct experience both inside the company and at major regional transport and development organisations. That background is likely to be relevant as engineering groups compete for rail work that often involves complex procurement structures, cross-border supply chains and long delivery periods.

Across Asia, the Middle East and Australia, rail projects are increasingly tied to wider policy goals, including urban growth, trade links and efforts to reduce pressure on road networks. For consulting and engineering companies, that has made rail one of the most closely watched parts of the infrastructure market.

Hill will support clients across a diverse set of markets in the region. His remit combines business leadership in AMEA with a global development role focused on priority rail opportunities.