Hydrock, the Bristol-based multi-disciplinary engineering, energy and sustainability consultancy, has appointed former KPMG partner Ronnie McCombe as its non-executive chairman.
Ronnie, pictured, will work with Hydrock’s board to drive forward the next stage of the company’s growth, drawing on his wide experience of working with innovative and fast-growth companies as well as his knowledge of acquisition programmes. 
In his 27-year career with global accountancy group KPMG, during which he held a number of senior leadership roles, he led global multi-disciplinary client service teams advising FTSE-listed companies on their assets, their human capital and on major transformational programmes for their brands.
He left KPMG last year after serving for two years on its UK board to pursue a non-executive career and currently has a number of chair/non-executive director roles with private equity-backed growth firms specialising in professional services consultancy and human capital with a reputation for disrupting traditional business models in their sectors.
Hydrock, which employs around 500 people across its seven UK offices, has received two capital investment over the past two years from BGF to spur growth.
Founded in 1995, it supplies a range of engineering services to support property and infrastructure development in a wide range of sectors, including commercial, education, residential, logistics, nuclear, defence and aviation.
Its recent projects include The Wave, the multi award-winning inland surfing lake, and a new world-class, purpose-built home for English National Ballet in East London which won the prestigious Architects Journal Award for Building of the Year.
Hydrock is also renowned for its approach to employee engagement and the health and wellbeing agenda and is regularly listed among the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. 
Hydrock chief executive Dr Brian McConnell said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Ronnie’s calibre to our business.
“With his track record in executive management, his knowledge of consulting and people businesses and his experience of growing multi-disciplinary client service teams, he will be a real asset to us both around the boardroom table and also into the business as we continue to establish ourself as the advisor of choice with our clients.
“I look forward to working with Ronnie to deepen our relationship with clients and offer even greater value, especially around the energy and sustainability agenda.”
Ronnie McCombe added: “In a consulting business, the importance of people and culture cannot be under-estimated. There is a vibrancy about Hydrock’s brand, and the growth they’ve achieved, even in this toughest of years, is a credit to everyone in the business.
“I’m excited to work with the team to offer my experience on how to continue to evolve the brand, grow client relationships, extend multi-disciplinary delivery and act as a link to a range of FTSE and public sector organisations.
“I’m naturally delighted to be given this opportunity to work with the board and be part of the team shaping the next exciting chapter in Hydrock’s development.”
