Ridha Bentiba
A collaborative leader with deep marine engineering expertise, Ridha has spent more than 20 years delivering major coastal and maritime projects around the world. He drives innovation, international growth and an inclusive culture, helping our teams build sustainable, resilient solutions for communities globally.
Biography
Ridha is Joint Chief Executive of HR Wallingford and has been with the organisation for more than two decades. He joined as a graduate engineer in 2002 after completing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in France, where he grew up. He began his career specialising in numerical modelling, including metocean and wave dynamics.
Between 2002 and 2020, Ridha held a range of technical and senior management roles, developing deep expertise in marine engineering and science across the UK and the Middle East. He has led the planning, design and delivery of major maritime and coastal projects worldwide, including shoreline protection for Halul Island in Qatar, LNG developments in Africa and Australia, power and water projects in Saudi Arabia, and the cruise terminal for the Old Doha Port ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Ridha joined the HR Wallingford Group Board in 2020 as Operations Director, responsible for consultancy, research and innovation, and manufacturing. He became Joint Chief Executive in 2023. In these leadership roles, he has driven strategic growth, strengthened international operations, and championed innovation and research investment to tackle some of the world’s most pressing water related challenges. His work has supported the expansion of our presence in key regions, including the Middle East, enabling world class expertise to be delivered locally.
A committed advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, Ridha sponsors our Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. He has championed initiatives that have reduced our gender pay gap by a third and fostered a culture of engagement, empowerment and talent development.
With a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, Ridha is dedicated to enabling teams to deliver sustainable, resilient solutions for communities worldwide, helping shape a future where water works for everyone.
What attracted you to HR Wallingford?
I first came to HR Wallingford for a three‑month internship while studying mechanical engineering. I worked on coastal data analysis and immediately felt welcomed, despite English not being my first language.
Joining as a Graduate Engineer in 2002 felt natural. The organisation’s mix of applied research, engineering and real‑world impact - combined with its independence and strong sense of purpose - was what I was looking for.
How have you progressed your career?
I started in numerical modelling before moving into marine engineering and project leadership. Over nearly two decades, I delivered major coastal and maritime projects across the UK, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, from shoreline protection to port and LNG developments.
I later moved into senior management, becoming Operations Director in 2020 and Joint Chief Executive in 2023. Throughout, I’ve benefited from colleagues who trusted me and gave me space to grow - something that shapes my commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion today.
What does a typical day look like?
My time is split between operational delivery and long‑term strategy. I work closely with teams across consultancy, research, innovation and manufacturing to ensure we have the clarity, resources and inclusive culture needed to deliver high‑quality work.
I also focus on future direction: research investment, digital innovation, international growth and how we respond to global water‑related challenges.
Effective leadership is about creating the conditions for people to do their best work
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of the role is seeing our work help clients build resilience, whether for coastlines, cities or communities facing climate and water pressures. The challenge is balancing the needs of a diverse, international organisation, especially during rapid change. Supporting our people and strengthening our culture of inclusion is central to that responsibility, and progress here is something I’m proud of.
Where do you see new opportunities for HR Wallingford?
Climate resilience, marine sustainability and clean energy are creating significant demand for our expertise. Clients need trusted insight, robust modelling and practical solutions - areas where our independence and technical depth matter.
There is also real opportunity to strengthen our international presence to enhance our impacts locally in regions facing significant water or marine challenges. To do this well, we need diverse teams and an inclusive culture that brings different perspectives to our work.
What is the best thing about working here?
The people. HR Wallingford brings together talented, collaborative colleagues who care about the quality and impact of their work.
Advice for people considering a career in STEM?
Follow your curiosity. It’s your ability to think critically and solve problems that opens doors, not a single discipline. STEM careers offer many paths: technical, research‑focused, digital or leadership.
What would you say to potential employees and clients?
For future colleagues: there are many ways to grow here, and we are committed to making those opportunities accessible and inclusive.
For clients: we work collaboratively, combining independent research, engineering and digital innovation to help you manage water‑related risks and deliver long‑term growth and resilience.
What do you enjoy outside work?
I enjoy snowboarding, mountaineering and spending time outdoors. A recent highlight was climbing Sharp Edge in the Lake District - challenging conditions, but a rewarding experience.