At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Dr Roni Savage.
Roni is an award-winning entrepreneur, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Geologist, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jomas Associates, a leading engineering and environmental consultancy serving the construction industry. She is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She was awarded an OBE for her services to engineering and construction and serves as a Non-Executive Director for the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. Roni has also been one of the driving forces behind our diversity and inclusion (D&I) campaign, which aims to make the built environment more inclusive, and has long supported our Count on Us Maths Challenge programme. She has established a reputation as a trailblazer in the industry, championing innovation, excellence and sustainability. Above all, Roni is a proud mother of three boys and a passionate advocate for gender diversity and social mobility.
At a young age, Roni thought she would become a doctor, as this was what her parents wanted for her. Growing up in a strong African household in the 1980s, medicine was regarded as one of the most prestigious career paths. However, Roni soon realised that it was not the right profession for her, as she disliked the sight of blood. She therefore spoke to her mother, and together they explored Roni’s strengths to identify a career she could feel passionate about. They looked for a profession that would allow her to solve problems, apply her love of numbers and spend time outdoors. They eventually discovered Engineering Geology and Geotechnics at the University of Portsmouth, a course that brought together all these interests.
Following her studies, Roni secured a graduate position as a field engineer, where she faced numerous challenges as a young Black woman. Many construction workers were reluctant to accept her presence on site. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and gradually worked her way up the corporate ladder. During this time, she had her first son, but people around her told her that she could not be both a mother and a successful professional. Roni refused to accept these limitations. With significant support from her mother, she took just four months of maternity leave before returning to work full-time. Following the birth of her second child, she also completed a master’s degree in Environmental Management at the University of Exeter. Her professional achievements continued to grow, and she was subsequently headhunted for an associate director position at one of the largest engineering firms in the country. After several years in the industry, Roni decided to establish her own business. In 2009, she founded Jomas Associates independently, providing services to land developers and undertaking site investigations, engineering assessments and environmental surveys for construction projects across the UK.
Since its establishment, Jomas Associates has gone from strength to strength, becoming a recognised leader in the industry and winning multiple awards. The company delivers site investigations, engineering services and environmental surveys across the UK, with a primary focus on land development projects. Known for providing high-quality, high-value and efficient engineering solutions, Jomas Associates has grown under Roni’s leadership into a multi-million-pound enterprise. In 2017, the company was recognised as a high-growth business by Goldman Sachs. During the same period of professional development, Roni completed the 10,000 Small Businesses Programme through the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, further strengthening her strategic approach to business.
With its head office in Uxbridge, Greater London, Jomas Associates is an award-winning company of environmental and engineering specialists. It provides a responsive, high-quality service through its highly technical staff and associates. With satellite offices in Manchester, Swindon, Kent and Cardiff, the company has the flexibility and expertise to deliver projects throughout the UK.
Jomas Associates has the knowledge and experience required to help make projects successful. With a team of committed experts, the company undertakes extensive and detailed projects, providing services that include site investigations, land contamination risk assessments and geotechnical engineering assessments across the UK. The company excels at supporting the land development process and reducing clients’ costs while ensuring that planning obligations are met in a timely manner. Understanding the challenges involved in land development, Jomas Associates aims to prevent unnecessary complications by providing clear, concise advice tailored to individual development proposals. The company takes pride in the reputation it has built through its commitment to quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness, striving to be its clients’ partner of choice through its expertise, authority and trustworthiness.
Alongside the success of Jomas Associates, Roni has received widespread recognition for her more than 20 years of industry experience. She has established herself as a leader who combines technical expertise with a passion for driving positive change. Her achievements include being named one of the UK’s Most Influential Women in Construction in 2022 and receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Portsmouth in 2023 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to civil engineering, construction, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Her accomplishments have earned her considerable recognition across the construction and engineering sectors. In 2021, she received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Institute of British Architects (HonRIBA), and in 2019, she was awarded Fellowship of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) by presidential invitation. She is professionally recognised as a Chartered Engineer (CEng FICE), Chartered Geologist (CGeol) and Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC). In 2018, Savage was named a champion of UK businesswomen. In 2024, she was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee for the King’s Awards, further recognising her national influence and leadership.
Beyond engineering, Roni is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and social mobility. She has been instrumental in promoting diversity across business, engineering and construction and is widely recognised as an expert in her field. She serves in several advisory and non-executive roles, including with the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, and has participated in government business advisory groups. In 2024, she was appointed as a non-executive board member of the department, further strengthening her contribution to public service and national business development. Through these roles, Roni continues to influence policy and champion positive change across the construction and engineering sectors.
Roni regularly speaks to audiences across academia and industry about leadership, entrepreneurship and the importance of broadening participation in STEM professions. She has spoken internationally and throughout the UK on issues relating to diversity in business and construction, frequently addressing high-profile events to inspire the next generation of leaders. Her work has supported major infrastructure and development projects across the UK, while her leadership has helped drive innovation and sustainable growth within the construction sector. As a role model, business leader, mother and mentor, Roni continues to inspire future engineers and entrepreneurs to challenge convention, embrace opportunity and lead with purpose.
Roni is deeply committed to mentoring and coaching aspiring professionals, particularly women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in construction and STEM. Her dedication to empowerment, inclusion and education informs both her personal and professional pursuits. She is the founder of Business Women in STEM, a platform established to celebrate, empower and increase the visibility of women making significant contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through events, networking opportunities and recognition initiatives, the platform showcases role models and promotes greater representation in traditionally male-dominated fields.
In addition to her work with Business Women in STEM, Roni serves as Policy Chair for Construction and Infrastructure at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), where she champions the interests of small firms within the construction sector. She is also Vice Chair and a Board Trustee at the YMCA, including serving as Vice Chair of YMCA St Paul’s Group, a charity that provides services and support for young people. Furthermore, she sits on the Chartership Committee of the Geological Society of London. Through these positions, she continues to contribute to the development of the construction industry, support young people and promote opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
As a sought-after international speaker, Roni regularly shares her insights on engineering, diversity and inclusion, mentoring and changemaking. Her expertise and achievements have been featured in Forbes, Property Week, LinkedIn, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail, as well as on major broadcast platforms including Sky News, BBC News and London Live TV. In 2019, she brought her expertise to a mainstream audience when she served as an adviser to Lord Sugar on the BBC programme The Apprentice. Through her work in business, engineering, policy and advocacy, Roni continues to break barriers, empower others and demonstrate how determination and vision can help shape a better future.
It has been an honour to share Roni’s story, from founding and leading a successful engineering and environmental consultancy to advising government and championing social mobility. Her journey demonstrates the power of determination, resilience and leadership. Her ability to balance motherhood with a thriving entrepreneurial career has made her a powerful role model, inspiring others to pursue their ambitions while remaining true to their personal values. Through her achievements and leadership, she shows young black girls that there is a place for them in the construction industry, having worked across different levels of the sector and demonstrated what is possible through perseverance and ambition. We look forward to seeing how Roni continues to grow Jomas Associates and give back to the community.
