Contributors:
Introducing our brilliant CEO, Alistair Rumbelow. Al has been part of the foundations of COEL since 2004 and spearheads the growth of our business.
Sarah Butler
Marketing Director
Hyper-organised and a secret tech nerd, Sarah is known to embrace any new tool that makes life more productive. She and her team are responsible for COEL’s business and reputational growth.
Contributors:
Introducing our brilliant CEO, Alistair Rumbelow. Al has been part of the foundations of COEL since 2004 and spearheads the growth of our business.
Sarah Butler
Marketing Director
Hyper-organised and a secret tech nerd, Sarah is known to embrace any new tool that makes life more productive. She and her team are responsible for COEL’s business and reputational growth.
COEL is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Brent as its new Managing Director.
Working alongside COEL’s CEO, Alistair Rumbelow, Richard will lead the existing board of directors in continuing to grow the company’s reputation across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, East Anglia and towards London.
“We’re delighted to announce Richard’s appointment as Managing Director of COEL,” said Alistair Rumbelow. “In just a few short months, he’s already played a key role in shaping the company’s direction. His leadership skills, strategic acumen, and extensive industry and business expertise will be instrumental as we pursue growth and innovation in new and existing markets.”
In his new role, Richard will oversee the company’s operations, drive strategic initiatives, and lead the executive team in delivering long-term value to stakeholders and the wider COEL community.
When asked about the new appointment, Richard said, “I am truly honoured to have been asked to take on the role of MD. Having been a client of COEL’s some years ago, I was able to experience first-hand their design and project management capabilities, as well as the whole team’s commitment to delivering the highest quality outcomes for their clients.”
“Whilst the market is not without its challenges,” he continues, “it is to the credit of our hardworking and dedicated team, that we move into the third quarter of 2025 with a strong pipeline, a new brand proposition and a clear strategic vision that positions us for sustained growth and long-term success.”
Richard’s appointment comes at a very exciting time for COEL, after a recent company restructure – to align all group companies under the COEL umbrella – a repositioning and a full rebrand in recent months.
Richard began his career as a construction labourer before earning a Civil Engineering degree from Birmingham University. He worked briefly at Ove Arup and Partners before joining the Royal Engineers, where he served for over 20 years in strategic, operational and leadership roles, including Commanding Officer of the British Army’s largest regiment. He was awarded an MBE for his service in Afghanistan. After leaving the military, Richard became Bursar at St Faith’s School, leading major infrastructure projects and various business transformation programmes.
You can learn more about Richard by reading our release about his original appointment here, or his team page here.
Any questions relating to this release should be directed to:
Sarah Butler, Marketing Director, COEL
E: sarah.butler@coel.co.uk
T: 0330 551 1494
