Keith Howells has stepped up from his role as Group managing director of Mott MacDonald to become chairman on 1 January 2011, following Peter Wickens retirement at the end of 2010. Keith has been managing director for the employee-owned Group for six years. Keith is succeeded as managing director by Richard Williams who was most recently Group development director. Keith and Richard are supported on the Group Board by strategic development director Kevin Stovell and director for Europe/Africa Guy Leonard, and for Asia Pacific/Australasia Kevin Dixon.