Nelson Ogunshakin

Olawale Nelson Ogunshakin OBE (known as "Nelson Ogunshakin") is a British/Nigerian engineer and businessman. He is currently chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). He was appointed to the board of Transport for London in September 2016.[1] In March 2018, it was announced that he will become chief executive of FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, based in Geneva, Switzerland.[2]

Education

Nelson Ogunshakin, OBE graduated from Aston University in 1985 with a B.Sc (Hons) in Civil Engineering, and went on to obtain a master's degree in Construction & Programme Management at the University of Birmingham. He also completed an MBA in Strategic Management and Corporate Finance from Aston University in 1994.[3] Nelson also gained certifications from the Harvard Business School and INSEAD Business School executive programmes.[4]

Career

Ogunshakin's first position after university was with civil engineering firm Tarmac, which later became known as Carillion, in 1981. He then moved to Warwickshire County Council where he became a transport planner. Moving back into consultancy, he joined Rendel Group and worked on the construction of new motorways in the area, including the M6 toll. He spent 14 years at the company where he worked on projects in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Canada, Egypt, Africa and across Europe.[5]

He also held senior positions at WSP Global, AEO Group and in 2004 he became chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering. At ACE he oversaw the integration of the Environmental Industries Commission into the group and the establishment of infrastructure industry magazine, Infrastructure Intelligence. He was appointed the new FIDIC Chief Executive Officer in July 2018.

Other roles

In June 2018, Ogunshakin was appointed to the board of Crossrail.[6] In September 2016, Ogunshankin was appointed to the Transport for London board by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on a four-year tenure.[7]

In October 2014, Ogunshankin was appointed to the London Infrastructure Delivery Board by the GLA.[8] In October 2012, Ogunshakin became co-chair of the National Infrastructure Plan Strategic Engagement Forum, providing strategic direction to the execution of the £350 billion plan, working in collaboration with the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP and Chief Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Deighton KBE.[9]

Ogunshakin has also held a number of non-executive roles on the boards of construction/engineering related companies and organisations. He is currently chair of the investment committee at ARIM-Harith, responsible for £250 million worth of investments in West Africa. He was also chair of Thomas Telford Ltd, the commercial arm of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), board member at construction firm, Deal Pride and trustee roles at engineering charities Engineering UK and Engineers Against Poverty (EAP).

He is an adjunct professor at Imperial College London.[10]

Awards and honours

Awarded an Officer of the Order of British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's 2010 Birthday honours for his contribution to the engineering and construction industry.[11]

Honorary doctorate of science & engineering awarded by Aston University in 2011 for his services to engineering.

He won a Trade Association Forum award for leadership in 2013.[12]

In 2010 he was named one of Britain's 100 most influential black people.[13]

Personal life

Nelson Ogunshakin OBE is married to his wife Helen and currently lives in Birmingham, UK.

References

1. "Board Members", Transport for London, London, September 2016. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
2. Jess Clark "ACE chief executive to step down", New Civil Engineer, London, 28 March 2018. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
3. "50 Aston Greats", Aston University, Birmingham, 28 March 2018. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
4. "Authors", BST Global, USA. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
5. "50 Aston Greats", Aston University, Birmingham, April 2016. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
6. "Board Members", Crossrail, London, 25 June 2016. Retrieved on 26 June 2018.
7. "Board Members", Transport for London, London, September 2016. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
8. "Top industry figures join Mayor to steer future infrastructure", Mayor of London, London, November 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
9. "Danny Alexander Announces National Infrastructure Plan Strategic Engagement Forum", Association for Consultancy and Engineering, London, September 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
10. "Adjunct Professors", Imperial College, London. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
11. "The Queen's Birthday Honours 2017". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
12. "Best Practice Awards", Trade Association Forum, London, 11 March 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2018.
13. "Breaking Perceptions", Britain's 100 most influential black people, London, 2 March 2010. Retrieved on 26 June 2018.