Jacobs and AtkinsRéalis have an eight-year history of partnership under the framework.
Under a three-year contract through National Highways’ Specialist Professional and Technical Services Framework, the Jacobs-AtkinsRéalis joint venture will deliver expertise in designing low-carbon roads and developing nature-based solutions. The initiative focuses on reducing pollution, optimizing energy and resource use, and integrating roads with surrounding landscapes to enhance biodiversity and environmental resilience.
Richard Sanderson, Jacobs’ Senior Vice President, stated: “Our integrated project delivery will be essential in supporting National Highways’ vision for a connected country and a thriving environment. Leveraging our knowledge of the network and the supply chain, combined with our global environmental and sustainability capabilities, we are committed to helping National Highways foster a resilient natural environment, reduce carbon emissions and support community well-being.”
Peter Baynham, AtkinsRéalis’ Market Director for Strategic Highways & Regional Roads in the UK and Ireland, said: “This appointment builds on our extensive environmental work with National Highways, including our ongoing collaboration with Jacobs and specialist supply chain. This combined expertise enables us to engineer roads which benefit both road users and the environment, continuing our work on sustainable infrastructure development across England’s highways.”
The joint venture emphasizes a collaborative approach, engaging a diverse supply chain that includes Jacobs’ strategic partner PA Consulting, small and medium-sized enterprises, and academic institutions. This builds on an eight-year partnership between Jacobs and AtkinsRéalis under the same framework. Both companies are part of the Roads Research Alliance and have achieved PAS 2080:2023 verification, demonstrating their commitment to effective carbon management in infrastructure projects.
The collaboration aims to deliver sustainable solutions that support National Highways’ goals of reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting community well-being across England’s road network. Earlier in June 2025, Jacobs was also appointed by the Bonneville Power Administration in the United States to provide engineering and advisory services for upgrades to the Grand Coulee hydroelectric dam, further showcasing its expertise in sustainable infrastructure.
