AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company, has appointed Julian Hill as Head of Rail for Asia, Middle East and Australia (AMEA) & Global Rail Development Director to lead the company’s rail business and growth strategy across the broader region.
The appointment comes amid significant investment in rail across AMEA, with identified project pipelines and planned rail and transit schemes exceeding US$3.9 trillion. This scale of opportunity reinforces AtkinsRéalis’ commitment to rail and the importance of dedicated senior leadership across the market. In AMEA, Julian will provide senior rail leadership in partnership with the company’s transportation leaders in each sub-region, strengthening its ability to pursue major opportunities and support clients across diverse markets. As Global Rail Development Director, he will also work alongside the company’s global rail leadership to identify and drive AtkinsRéalis’ highest-priority rail pursuits.
Julian brings more than 30 years of international experience delivering complex rail and infrastructure programmes in the region. He joins AtkinsRéalis from NEOM, where he served as Executive Director, Regional Infrastructure, leading the delivery of major infrastructure works supporting one of the world’s most ambitious development programmes.
Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Rail and previously spent more than a decade with AtkinsRéalis, where he led the rail business in the Middle East and Africa. Julian has held leadership roles on some of the Middle East’s most significant rail programmes, including Riyadh Metro, Doha Metro, Dubai Metro, Lusail Light Rail Transit, and Etihad Rail. He has also supported major rail developments in Hong Kong and other markets in Asia.
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 the growth of 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 that he has built throughout his career, makes him exceptionally well placed to help our clients navigate increasingly complex infrastructure environments and deliver their ambitions.”
AtkinsRéalis has played a leading role in many of AMEA’s landmark rail and transit programmes to support population growth, improve connectivity, and drive economic development, including the Riyadh Metro, Doha Metro, Dubai Metro and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link. In AMEA, the company supports government partners and clients from strategic advisory and planning through design, engineering, systems integration and program delivery. Julian’s appointment will help build on this experience and legacy, shaping the next generation of transportation infrastructure in Asia, the Middle East and Australia.