Engineering Firm Systra Names Riona Ainge as Sustainability Lead: 4 Things to Know

Systra, an engineering and consulting firm specializing in public transport and mobility solutions, has named Riona Ainge as sustainability lead.

Here are four things to know about Systra's business and sustainability goals, and Ainge's experience and role.

1. Business Scope and Scale: Systra, founded in 1957, is based in Paris, France. The company has roughly 11,000 employees across 80 countries. Systra engineers and consultants help cities to create, improve and modernize their transport infrastructure. Annual sales were €1.1 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2023.

2. Sustainability Goals: Systra is striving to reduce Scope 1 and 2 by 42% and Scope 3 by 25% (by 2030 compared to 2022), according to the company's 2023 sustainability report. Also, SYSTRA UK & Ireland is striving to become Net Zero for its entire carbon footprint by 2035. The company's sustainability mission has four pillars: (1) Social purpose, (2) climate action, (3) responsible business and (4) environmental stewardship.

3. Riona Ainge's Experience and Role: Ainge now leads Systra's sustainability efforts, "focusing on reducing carbon footprint and broadening social value," the company said.

According to her LinkedIn bio, Ainge joined Systra in 2000 as an assistant environmental analyst and then rose to consultant in 2022. More recently, she was Sustainability Manager for the Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA JV, working on the delivery of Old Oak Common Station (OOC), the company said.

Ainge is part of Systra's Next Generation Leadership Team (NGLT), sitting alongside other early career professionals to bring new perspectives and challenge to the business, and was a finalist for the Women in Construction and Engineering (WICE) Awards in 2024 and the Young Railway Professional of the Year 2023, the company said.

4. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, David White, director of health, safety, security & sustainability at Systra, said: “Riona’s appointment marks a step-change in the future of our sustainability mission at SYSTRA. She brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to this important role, and it is clear she is determined to drive genuine change and momentum across the business. I am very much looking forward to working with her on taking our sustainability mission forward.”

Added Ainge: “I am delighted to take on this important role for SYSTRA, which aligns with my core values towards enhancing the environment and generating social value in our projects. My first priorities will be establishing our carbon management program and creating distinct opportunities to deliver meaningful and lasting social value in the communities we serve.”

Chief Sustainability Officers: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.