AECOM Will Appoint Manav Kumar as Chief Legal Officer
In a planned leadership transition, AECOM will elevate Manav Kumar to oversee legal operations starting in October.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
AECOM will appoint Manav Kumar as chief legal officer on Oct. 3, 2026, marking a shift in the infrastructure firm's leadership team. Current legal head David Gan will transition to a senior advisor role before retiring in 2027.
Why it matters
Succession planning for key executive roles ensures institutional stability, especially as long-tenured leaders transition out of critical oversight functions. Clear handoffs help maintain continuity in legal and corporate strategy during periods of organizational change.
The leadership change follows a 20-year tenure from the outgoing legal chief, David Gan. His successor, Manav Kumar, joined the firm in 2017 and previously served as chief of staff for the office of the chairman and CEO.
The players
AECOM
An international infrastructure consulting firm providing design, build, finance, and operations services to public and private sector clients.
Manav Kumar
A corporate executive set to become chief legal officer after serving as chief of staff for the office of the chairman and CEO.
David Gan
A long-tenured legal executive who served at the firm for 20 years and will transition to a senior advisor role.
The details
The transition process serves as a structured approach to preserving legal continuity following David Gan’s two decades at the company. Manav Kumar brings experience from his time as chief of staff for the office of the chairman and CEO, as well as his past role as chief olympics officer for the city of Los Angeles. This shift precedes the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which AECOM is currently preparing.
Timeline
2006: David Gan joined the firm.
2017: Manav Kumar joined the firm.
Oct. 3, 2026: Manav Kumar assumes the chief legal officer role.
2027: David Gan is scheduled to retire.
Market Landscape
This transition follows standard corporate succession patterns common among multinational infrastructure firms preparing for high-profile projects. The appointment aligns with the company's long-term internal grooming processes ahead of major events like the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Operators should review their own long-term succession plans to ensure key legal and operational knowledge is retained before senior departures. Monitoring the transition of long-tenured executives provides a signal on how firms handle knowledge transfer during significant leadership turnover.
The takeaway
Effective succession planning relies on transitioning institutional knowledge long before the formal retirement date. Operators should evaluate their own key roles and establish overlapping tenures to avoid operational gaps.
What happens next
David Gan will retire in 2027 following his tenure as senior advisor.
Further reading
For more on corporate leadership shifts, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Construction Dive.
