ATK.L Regulatory News (ATK)

8 September 2011

WS Atkins plc

Appointment of Board Director

WS Atkins plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Rodney Earl Slater, former US secretary of transportation, as a non-executive director. He will join the Board on 9 September 2011.

Mr Slater (56) is currently a partner at law firm Patton Boggs LLP (Washington DC, United States), where he is a leader of its transportation practice, working on projects related to transportation infrastructure. Prior to this he was secretary of transportation under president Bill Clinton between 1997 and 2001. He served as administrator of the United States Federal Highway Administration from 1993 to 1996 and was assistant attorney general for the State of Arkansas before that.

In his tenure as secretary of transportation, one of his notable achievements was the successful passing of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. This provided a more effective framework for planning and funding the long term transportation needs of major cities in the United States.

Allan Cook, chairman, said, "I am delighted to welcome Rodney to the Board. He brings an impressive track record in business and government to Atkins as well as an important American dimension to our Board. This is particularly important as Atkins continues its development as a multi-national organisation, with an increasing geographical presence in the United States."

Mr Slater is currently a non-executive director of Verizon Communications, Inc., Kansas City Southern and the Transurban Group. He also sits on the Congressional Awards Foundation's non-profit Board as well as that of United Way Worldwide.

Ends

For more information:

Notes to editors:

Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment. Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe, the largest engineering consultancy in both the UK and the Middle East, and the UK's second largest architecture firm.

Atkins won Engineering Consultant of the Year 2008 at the prestigious Building Awards. The company was named among the `20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2008' by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2008. The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.

Atkins is the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.