Veolia, the global leader in ecological transformation, has announced the appointment of Richard Kirkman as the new CEO for Northern Europe and the Group’s Head of Growth and Innovation, effective April 2, 2026.
Kirkman’s deep experience with Veolia spans over two decades, having led key infrastructure projects in the UK from 1995 to 2020. His most recent role was CEO of Veolia in Australia & New Zealand, where he oversaw significant expansion, doubling the size of the region over a five-year period. In this role, he managed operations generating 4 billion AUD in revenue, with 7,000 employees and 350 operational sites.
In his new position, Kirkman will oversee operations across the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, and the Netherlands. This region serves industrial, municipal, and commercial clients, and employs nearly 20,000 people, generating £4 billion in revenue. His leadership will also extend to Veolia’s global growth and innovation strategy, where he will focus on accelerating organic growth and developing new innovative solutions. Additionally, he will join Veolia’s Executive Committee.
The appointment follows the announcement that Gavin Graveson, the outgoing Senior Vice-President for Northern Europe and CEO of the UK, will take on the role of CEO for the Group’s Asia Pacific Zone, also effective April 2, 2026. Graveson will remain a member of Veolia’s Executive Committee.
Veolia is currently progressing through the first phase of its GreenUp strategic program, and the company is now entering a new phase of its growth strategy. This includes strengthening the organization's management team to further enhance global operations, stimulate innovation, and continue its strong performance.
Kirkman commented on his appointment, saying, “I am looking forward to building on the excellence that Gavin and the team have delivered across Northern Europe and supporting my colleagues as we drive to complete our GreenUp ambitions. Environmental security is essential for public and private entities across the zone and our innovative solutions are primed to support economic growth with sustainable sovereignty.”
