European engineering consultancy federation EFCA has appointed Sue Arundale as its new director general to take over from outgoing secretary general Jan Van der Putten, who will retire at the end of September after 30 years of service.

Arundale will join the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA) on 1 July 2022 and take over as the organisation’s new director general on 1 August 2022. Current secretary general Van der Putten will become an adviser to Arundale until the end of September 2022.
Born in the UK, Arundale also holds Belgian citizenship and has lived in Belgium for 17 years. A native English speaker, she is also fluent in French and can speak German and has worked in EU affairs for 26 years, more than 15 of these being for international member organisations.

A keen advocate of improving services to members, she has a master’s degree in leading innovation and change and wrote her thesis on adding value in member organisations. She also has a postgraduate certificate in EU law and has worked in the construction sector for more than eight years as a lobbyist for the industry.

As director of technical and environmental affairs at the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and president of the European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation, she has worked with both the European Commission and the European Parliament on relevant policy developments affecting the industry. Passionate about construction, whilst at FIEC, she worked to promote new technologies, digitalisation and innovation.

In a statement commenting on Arundale’s appointment, EFCA said: “An accomplished collaborator and networker, Sue has always enjoyed working with other relevant stakeholders and believes that engineers are critical to the delivery of the current wave of policy developments, aimed at achieving a sustainable built environment. EFCA wishes every success to Sue in her new position as EFCA director general and hopes that all member associations will welcome her to her new position.”

FIDIC CEO Dr Nelson Ogunshakin said: “Congratulations to Sue on her appointment as EFCA director general and best wishes to Jan Van der Putten on his retirement. EFCA is an important organisation for the representation of the consulting engineering industry in Europe and FIDIC very much looks forward to continuing its excellent working relationship with EFCA and I look forward to working closely with Sue and her team over the coming months and years.”