Nigel Tonks is a Director, Region Board Member and the Sustainable Development Lead for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa at Arup. Having previously led the Buildings Sector in London, Nigel has over 30 years’ experience as a Mechanical Engineer, working with clients and collaborators to design and deliver passive low energy new and renovated buildings.

Working in several different countries, Nigel has experienced a wide range of regulation, green building standards and regional approaches to grappling with sustainable development. Nigel is a passionate advocate for transforming the built environment to a decarbonized, more resilient, healthy and more equitable future, aligned with 1.5oC Climate Action, and for promoting the radical collaboration necessary to achieve these goals. 

Outside Arup, Nigel is a member of the UNFCCC Climate Champions Built Environment Team, forging global campaigns for the Race to Zero and the Race to Resilience, in the build up to COP26.  

Key projects include Amorepacific Headquarters Building, Seoul (winner of the 2021 CIBSE Building Performance Award) Turner Contemporary, Margate (UK’s first BREEAM rated gallery in the UK), St Louis Art Museum (highest LEED rated public building in St Louis), and sustainable development advisory services to The Nobel Foundation.