Kenny McGibbon

Describe what the Mott Mac Life means to you in three words

Connection, people, growth.

What do you enjoy about working here?

Working with talented people who care deeply about their work makes Mott MacDonald a great place to be. I enjoy being part of a large international team with colleagues who bring different perspectives and experiences. I have worked here for most of my career, and I enjoy using my networks and joining the dots to bring the best of Mott MacDonald to our clients globally. There is a collaborative atmosphere amongst colleagues, and everyone genuinely wants to do the best for our clients and each other.

Tell us about your specialism and why you chose it

My specialism is water and wastewater treatment process engineering. I was drawn to this field when I learned how clean water and sanitation are fundamental to public health and meeting our most basic human needs. The properties of water are complex and endlessly fascinating which makes working in water treatment technically challenging and rewarding.

Why did you choose to join Mott MacDonald?

I was initially sponsored by the Mott MacDonald Charitable Trust to complete my Water and Wastewater Treatment MSc degree at Cranfield University in 2004. Mott MacDonald had an excellent reputation in water and wastewater treatment, with senior staff who were industry leading technical experts. I joined to develop my technical process engineering skills and work in a company that offered opportunities to get involved in impactful projects globally.

How has your career progressed since joining?

I joined Mott MacDonald in 2005, fresh from completing an MSc in water and wastewater treatment, and with about five years of post-graduate experience. After around a year, I moved to our design and build business, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) in Yorkshire. The five years I spent at MMB was transformational, significantly increasing my responsibilities, delivering treatment projects from concept through to detailed design and construction.

The experience I have gained since joining has been recognised by Mott MacDonald as I now hold the position of technical director in our water consultancy business and the global practice leader for water and wastewater treatment. I am also grateful for the acknowledgement I have received from industry peers having been elected as a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

What have you learnt while working at Mott MacDonald?

First and foremost, we are a people business. Looking out for the needs of others builds trust and fosters effective and healthy teams. Making connections and building strong relationships is critical to our success and the wellbeing of our people.

How do you demonstrate Technical Excellence in your work?

As the global practice leader for water and wastewater treatment, my role is focused on promoting technical excellence in our teams.

Every year we identify strategic areas for growth or development and map out activities to support this in our annual practice plan.  Technical excellence is about giving colleagues tools and knowledge to perform at their best and deliver their best for our clients every day.

How do you contribute to Mott MacDonald making a difference to people and the planet?

Tackling nitrous oxide and methane process emissions is key to meeting water industry net zero targets. I have enjoyed developing a vision and engaging with colleagues, clients and industry peers globally to grow our technical knowledge, promote collaboration, and support the practical application of research into process emissions measurement and mitigation. This is a perfect example of how our global reach helps us bring the best of Mott MacDonald to local clients.

Where in the world has your role taken you?

I have worked extensively across the UK, from the south coast of England to remote parts of Scotland like the Orkney and Shetland islands. I have also worked for short periods in Mozambique and Saudi Arabia. Recently, I have enjoyed presenting at conferences in Singapore, the United States, and Australia, and combining a work trip with family time in New Zealand.

Publications

• Authored two chapters of the American Water Works Association “Ion Exchange for Drinking Water Treatment”