Leadership Shakeup at Arcadis: A New Era Begins with Heather Polinsky at the Helm
In a move that signals a bold step toward the future, Arcadis (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the global powerhouse in sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy, has announced a change in leadership. But here's where it gets intriguing: Heather Polinsky, a 26-year veteran of the company and current Global President for Resilience and Mobility, has been nominated as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This transition, set to take place on March 1, 2026, marks the end of Alan Brookes’ tenure, who will step down after a remarkable 25-year career with the company. And this is the part most people miss: Polinsky’s appointment is the culmination of a meticulous succession planning process aligned with international best practices, ensuring a seamless transition for the Amsterdam-based firm.
Michiel Lap, Chair of the Supervisory Board, emphasized the strategic timing of this change: “Arcadis is laser-focused on reigniting growth and solidifying its market leadership. Heather’s extensive experience and proven track record make her the ideal candidate to steer us into the next strategic cycle.” With over 30 years in senior operational, client development, and commercial roles across the U.S. and globally, Polinsky has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly since 2023, when she spearheaded the company’s most profitable business area, Resilience, driving sustained growth and margin improvement. Controversially, some might question whether her background in resilience and mobility fully prepares her for the broader challenges of leading a global engineering giant—a debate worth exploring in the comments.
Alan Brookes, the outgoing CEO, reflected on his tenure with pride: “Leading Arcadis has been a privilege, and I’m confident that Heather will take the company to new heights. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition.” Under Brookes’ leadership, Arcadis has strengthened its position, accelerated investments in digital innovation and AI, and laid a robust foundation for future success.
Heather Polinsky herself expressed her honor and vision for the future: “My focus will be on driving growth, enhancing performance, and accelerating initiatives to position Arcadis for its next phase of success. Having worked across our water, energy, environment, and transport sectors, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact our people make globally. I’m excited to collaborate with our teams worldwide to achieve our ambitions with urgency and precision.”
A Closer Look at Heather Polinsky’s Journey
Polinsky’s path to the CEO role is a testament to her dedication and expertise. Joining Arcadis in 1999 from the U.S. Army Environmental Command, she has held pivotal roles, including Chief Operating Officer for North America and senior client development positions at Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., where she played a key role in its merger with Arcadis in 2009. Since joining the Executive Leadership Team in 2023, she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s global strategy, transformation priorities, and critical decisions in M&A, governance, innovation, and investment.
A certified Project Management Professional, Polinsky holds an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the College of William and Mary. Her industry influence extends beyond Arcadis; she is a Fellow and past President of the Society of American Military Engineers and has held leadership positions with the National Association of Ordnance Contractors. As a recognized thought leader, she has represented Arcadis at prestigious global events, including New York Climate Week and the UN Water Conference.
Thought-Provoking Question for Our Readers: As Arcadis embarks on this new chapter under Heather Polinsky’s leadership, do you think her background in resilience and mobility will be a strength or a limitation in addressing the company’s broader challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
