People Spotlight: Meet Anthony Hume
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week, we are highlighting a director from our Buildings + Places business in the United Kingdom and providing an insight into their inspiration and work.
Anthony is the Hotel sector lead for AECOM’s Buildings + Places business in Europe. Based in the South East of the UK, he has a background in mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) engineering. He has delivered complex hospitality projects, combining technical expertise with a strong focus on client vision, commercial strategy and the delivery of high-quality, efficient buildings.
Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.
I initially began my career working for an MEP contractor before moving into engineering consultancy. That practical foundation has shaped how I approach design to this day. Understanding how systems are installed and commissioned in the real world has been a huge asset — especially on complex heritage buildings, where coordination is critical, and space is at a premium.
What really drew me in, and continues to drive me, is the collaborative nature of this industry. No successful projects happen in isolation — it takes designers, contractors, and clients all working together with a shared vision. I’ve always enjoyed being part of that team effort.
Understanding how systems are installed and commissioned in the real world has been a huge asset — especially on complex heritage buildings, where coordination is critical, and space is at a premium.
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
This has to be Raffles London at The OWO — a landmark transformation of the Old War Office in Whitehall into a luxury hotel and residences. The heritage, complexity, and ambition behind the project made it truly special.
The building’s historic status presented a number of technical challenges, particularly around spatial coordination, sustainability and the need to completely conceal services while delivering modern luxury standards. We embraced early-stage 3D design to resolve these constraints, using the latest digital tools at AECOM’s disposal to accurately and quickly co-ordinate our services working closely with the design team to ensure nothing compromised the integrity or aesthetics of the building.
What really made the project stand out was how we delivered it — as One AECOM. We brought together a global team working across time zones, with specialists from the UK and India all having a key input into the delivery of the project from completion to handover.
The finished result speaks for itself. It’s a once-in-a-generation project that sets a new benchmark for heritage-led luxury and I’m incredibly proud that AECOM played such a pivotal role in making it a reality.
What really made the project stand out was how we delivered it — as One AECOM. We brought together a global team working across time zones, with specialists from the UK and India all having a key input into the delivery of the project from completion to handover
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.
On one of my first projects at AECOM, I worked on a small but meaningful project — a primary school near an airport that had no openable windows due to noise constraints. The challenge was to design a ventilation system that would keep classrooms comfortable, healthy and well-ventilated despite being in a sealed environment and right under the flight path.
We developed a low-energy mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, ensuring excellent air quality and thermal comfort without any reliance on natural ventilation. For the school, it meant pupils could concentrate and learn in a calm, well-ventilated environment all year round — without the roar of aircraft interrupting lessons!
This system had a real, tangible impact on the children, teachers and local community at that school. Projects like that remind you why what we do matters and is impactful.
For the school, it meant pupils could concentrate and learn in a calm, well-ventilated environment all year round — without the roar of aircraft interrupting lessons!
Share a piece of career advice.
Build your mindset around client needs. When engaging with them, start by listening. Understand what they’re trying to achieve. The best outcomes are achieved when we align our expertise with their goals and focus on how we can support them — not just deliver a scope but add real value.
That mindset also applies within our teams. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask “why?”— why are we doing it this way, why not try something better, why does this matter to the end user? Stay curious, stay engaged and keep learning from the people around you.
