Ricardo appoints new chief executive officer to lead brand refresh

Ricardo, the British engineering company specialising in propulsion and energy systems, has appointed Jason Oms O’Donnell (pictured) as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Founded in 1915 by Sir Harry Ricardo, the company has a long history of technological and mechanical breakthroughs that have helped define automotive, energy and industrial engineering. The appointment of Oms O’Donnell coincides with the launch of a refreshed brand.

The updated brand identity draws directly on this heritage, honouring Ricardo’s legacy of first-of-its-kind engineering while positioning the business for the next era of advanced propulsion and sustainable energy solutions.

Oms O’Donnell, who began his career at Ricardo as an automotive graduate and has spent 25 years with the company, steps into the CEO role following the acquisition of Ricardo by WSP in October 2025. As part of that transition, WSP announced plans to divest the automotive and manufacturing divisions while integrating the environmental, energy consulting and rail businesses into WSP from July 2026.

“It is a privilege to lead Ricardo into its next phase,” says Oms O’Donnell. “For more than a century, this company has shaped the evolution of mobility and energy systems. Sir Harry Ricardo’s belief in using emerging technologies and fuels to improve efficiency and eliminate waste remains at the heart of who we are – a legacy that will continue to guide us in the years ahead.”