Aurecon has appointed Chris Deakin as Rail leader – Asia. He will lead the firm’s rail and mass transit practice in the region and will be responsible for leading, developing and managing the rail and mass transit service line and teams.

Based in Singapore, Deakin will manage key relationships with clients and industry partners in a bid to enhance Aurecon’s market growth and positioning. In addition, he will also lead the digital delivery programme for the Singapore infrastructure business, Aurecon said.

“I am delighted to welcome Chris to drive Aurecon’s business in rail and mass transit. Governments in Asia are increasingly focused on creating smart, accessible and liveable cities, which require digital integration and innovative problem-solving. Chris brings an abundance of both qualities as well as a keen understanding of clients’ needs,” said Scott Smith, client director – Infrastructure, Asia.

According to a statement, Deakin has over 18 years of international experience in leading, designing, and managing major infrastructure projects. His experience includes metro and high-speed alignment designs for Singapore, systems engineering in Malaysia, light rail in Australia and detailed permanent way design and construction projects for heavy rail in the UK. He is said to be a skilled permanent way, trackwork and alignment engineer with design, installation and management experience, accompanied by strong digital engineering knowledge.

“Traditionally, rail engineering focuses on refining established methods in the way we design, engineer, and construct, rather than imagining what’s possible by challenging ourselves and what we know. I am excited to join Aurecon because it is a company that is not constrained by the past and is leveraging digital to shape the industry,” concluded Deakin.