The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has announced the appointment of Milda Manomaityte as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 March 2026.

Milda will succeed Kate Jennings, who will step down from the role on 5 March 2026, following two years as Chief Executive Officer. Kate has led ACE through a period of positive change, strengthening the organisation’s internal team and significantly enhancing its political engagement and profile. During her tenure, she also oversaw the development of ACE’s three-year strategy, providing a clear and ambitious direction for the organisation’s future.

Kate Jennings said: “It has been a pleasure to lead ACE Group through such an important period.  Our members are key strategic partners for Government and infrastructure clients. Their advice and insight are essential to delivering the Infrastructure and Industrial Strategies. ACE Group has grown in strength with a new leadership team who will continue to work with Milda on delivering for members and championing infrastructure. I wish Milda every success in this important role.”

To ensure continuity and a smooth transition for members and stakeholders, Milda and Kate will continue to work closely together during the coming weeks.

Commenting on her appointment, Milda Manomaityte said: “I am delighted to be joining ACE Group at such an important moment for the sector. I look forward to delivering the three-year business plan, while building on ACE’s strong foundations to ensure it continues to be a trusted, influential voice for the future of infrastructure.”

Milda joins ACE with extensive experience in trade association leadership, policy engagement and organisational transformation. She has spent the past seven years at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), holding a number of senior roles across the organisation, including Innovation Director and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer.

In these positions, she led major programmes focused on innovation adoption, digital transformation, member engagement and operational resilience, while also playing a central role in strengthening RIA’s influence with government and industry partners.

Prior to RIA, Milda was a founding director of the Global AirRail Alliance (GARA), a membership organisation representing rail access to airports. This role helped shape her early career at the intersection of transport policy, infrastructure planning and collaborative industry leadership.

Her appointment marks a gear change for ACE group, combining continuity with an exciting, forward-looking approach. Building on a strong existing platform and working closely with the leadership team, Milda will put members at the centre of delivery, driving the agreed strategy and maximising impact across an evolving political, economic and infrastructure landscape.

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is the business association for the UK’s professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the social and economic infrastructure sectors. As the leading voice for the sector, we foster collaboration to propel the industry to fulfil its ambitions.

We champion infrastructure and the built environment - helping our sector to build a safe, prosperous and sustainable future.

The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) champions new environmental markets to Government and other stakeholders and is the leading association representing the environmental technologies and services sector.

Together, ACE Group members provide insight and guidance on infrastructure and environmental projects at all scales and stages of development. Leveraging insight from global best practice, they bring innovation, solutions and cost effectiveness.

The sector is highly skilled, productive, and forward-looking—employing over 470,000 people and contributing more than £39 bn to the UK economy. It competes on a global stage, exporting over £11.1 bn providing solutions to the world’s pressing issues and holds the key to a brighter future