SLR appoints director of sustainable planning and infrastructure

Sustainability consultancy SLR Consulting has appointed former Walk Wheel Cycle Trust chief executive Xavier Brice as director of sustainable planning and infrastructure.

Xavier joins the business after a decade leading the charity formerly known as Sustrans, where he oversaw the delivery of more than 500 miles of new and improved National Cycle Network routes across the UK.

Prior to that, he played a key role at Transport for London, helping shape the strategies behind the capital’s modern cycling infrastructure and wider active travel network.

In his new role, Xavier will lead the growth of SLR’s integrated sustainable built environment offering across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, supporting projects spanning planning, infrastructure and environmental delivery.

He said: “After ten years, I saw a natural point to step aside and enable fresh leadership. 

“I was keen to return to cross-sector work, and my role at SLR allows me to operate across public, private and political environments, broadening my focus beyond travel alone. 

“I’m joining a growing business with the opportunity to help shape its direction, building on my longstanding interest in place, not just movement, and supporting the creation of resilient infrastructure through a more integrated, systems-led approach.

“I strongly believe in the shared responsibility between the public and private sectors to create places that are fit for the future, with active travel, sustainability and resilience embedded from the outset. 

“Even simple infrastructure decisions can have a profound impact on people’s lives and wider social outcomes.” 

Xavier’s appointment comes as SLR continues to expand its digital and data-led planning capabilities through tools focused on climate modelling, climate risk and sustainable placemaking.

Mike Axon, global director of transport at SLR Consulting, added: “As we move towards a new era of planning, where vision leads and delivery follows, we’re delighted to welcome Xavier into this important role. 

“His track record of delivering national-scale change will help bring greater alignment across our planning and infrastructure services, strengthening how we deliver integrated, strategic solutions for our clients.” 

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.