Dr Roni Savage FREng, Founder and CEO of Jomas Associates and one of the UK’s most influential leaders in engineering, business, and construction, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, for Services to Young People, to Business, and to the Construction Industry.
This national honour recognises Dr Savage’s exceptional contribution to empowering the next generation, strengthening the UK’s business ecosystem, and advancing excellence, innovation, and inclusion across the construction industry.
A Chartered Engineer, Chartered Geologist, Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC), Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), Dr Savage has spent over two decades shaping the fields of engineering, land remediation, and sustainable development. Through Jomas Associates, which she founded in 2009, she has demonstrated that SMEs can partake in significant projects with technical rigour, innovation, and impact.
In her role as a Non‑Executive Director at the Department for Business and Trade, Dr Savage plays a pivotal part in championing ambitious enterprises, advancing procurement reform, and ensuring that government policy unlocks opportunity for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs.
Championing young people, business, and the built environment
Dr Savage is widely recognised for her commitment to inspiring and mentoring young people, particularly those pursuing careers in engineering, construction, and entrepreneurship. Her advocacy has opened pathways for diverse talent and strengthened the pipeline of future industry leaders. She is a prominent advocate for increasing the representation of women in STEM and construction.
Her work in regeneration has reframed brownfield development as a catalyst for economic renewal. She has supported the delivery of numerous housing and infrastructure programmes, revitalised communities, and driven sustainable growth across the UK.
Former Vice Chair and Trustee of YMCA SPG and current Trustee of the Mayor’s Fund for London, both charities championing the empowerment, education, and wellbeing of young people, Dr Savage is a multi award winning industry leader who has been honoured with numerous national awards, including ‘Most Influential Woman in Construction’, ‘Business Woman of the Year’, ‘Black British Business Person of the Year’ and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’. These accolades reflect her sustained leadership, her impact on industry and policy, and her role as a visible champion for diversity, innovation, and SME excellence.
Alongside her professional achievements, Dr Savage is also a mother of three boys, bringing her characteristic drive, empathy, and resilience to both her family life and her national leadership and advocacy roles.
Dr Savage said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. My career has been driven by a belief that regeneration is not just about land development, it is about empowering people, creating opportunity, and advancing future generations. This honour reflects the work of every SME founder striving to deliver excellence, every young person choosing a career in engineering, every woman challenging the status quo, and every organisation committed to building more inclusive and sustainable ecosystems. I am proud to play my part in that mission.”
