- Oliver North will lead the growth and evolution of Ridge’s cost and commercial management capability, strengthening the consultancy’s position on nationally significant infrastructure, investment and strategic capital programmes.
- He joins Ridge as Head of Cost and Commercial Management and Partner, bringing 20 years’ experience and overseeing a national team, having previously led around 600 cost and commercial professionals across the UK and Europe.
- A central focus for Oliver will be advancing Ridge’s data, digital and AI service offer, helping clients make more informed decisions and maximise value across complex programmes and portfolios.
Built environment consultancy Ridge has appointed Oliver North as a Partner and Head of Cost and Commercial Management, strengthening its senior leadership team as it seeks to expand its cost and commercial capability across nationally significant infrastructure, investment and major programmes.
Oliver brings 20 years’ experience in cost and commercial management across property and infrastructure to the role. He has previously led a team of around 600 professionals across the UK and Europe, with active service delivery across 15 countries, and held senior roles spanning both public and private sector markets and major programmes.
With a national remit, Oliver will lead the evolution of Ridge’s cost and commercial management capability, driving team growth, expanding key client relationships and strengthening the consultancy’s position on major programmes, strategic frameworks and nationally significant infrastructure investments.
One key area of focus will be how Ridge can use data, digital technology and AI to give clients better insight into cost, value and risk, helping them make decisions more quickly and with greater confidence. The appointment comes as the government increases its focus on the practical adoption of AI, including through measures announced around the 2026 Budget to support how AI is used in procurement and across public services, as well as how it is adopted more widely.
Oliver brings extensive experience of leading commercial strategy and delivery across nationally significant programmes in infrastructure, defence, healthcare, transport and real estate. His experience includes the NHS New Hospitals Programme, DEFRA SCAH (Science Capability in Animal Health programme), Defence Infrastructure Organisation portfolios, Associated British Ports, Universal’s new theme park and entertainment destination in Bedford, and the €2.4bn Ellinikon regeneration in Athens, as well as major property and infrastructure programmes across Europe, the Americas and APAC. At Ridge, Oliver will use this international experience to inform how its UK teams approach major programmes, particularly where clients work with international partners and supply chains.
On joining Ridge, Oliver North said:
“I’m joining Ridge at an exciting time. The quality of its people, its culture and its ambition all really shine through, and I’m looking forward to applying the experience I’ve gained working across the UK, Europe and international markets to strengthen and grow our cost and commercial service offer across major programme and infrastructure markets.
“My main ambition is to develop how Ridge approaches cost and commercial management, by bringing together the optimal combination of commercial, technical and major programme expertise. Data and AI will be a key part of this; used well, they can give clients unrivalled insight and competitive advantage, enabling them to make decisions quickly and with greater confidence.”
Mark Richards, Cost Management Partner at Ridge, said:
“Oliver brings extensive experience of leading large teams and delivering complex major programmes across property and infrastructure. He understands what clients need from a cost and commercial management service offer as projects increase in scale and complexity, and how different disciplines need to work together to provide the kinds of practical advice our clients need.
“His appointment will help us to more consistently grow and secure strategic major programmes. His experience of working across international markets, together with his understanding of how data and technology can improve commercial decision-making, will also bring valuable thinking to those we work with across the UK.”