SOCOTEC Elevates Ivan Jelic to Executive Vice President to Enhance Project Expertise

SOCOTEC Strengthens Advisory Expertise with New EVP

In a significant move to enhance its advisory and forensic engineering capabilities, SOCOTEC has appointed Ivan Jelic, PhD, PE, as the new Executive Vice President of its Technical Consulting & Advisory (TCA) division. This appointment, announced on May 6, 2026, comes at a pivotal time for the company, as it seeks to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of construction projects.

A Growing Need for Expertise

As the construction industry faces heightened expectations regarding performance, delivery, and sustainability, the need for expert guidance becomes imperative. Clients often find themselves facing intricate challenges in project management, disputes, and risk assessments. SOCOTEC aims to fill this gap by offering independent, technically grounded expertise that can guide clients throughout the full lifecycle of their assets.

Ivan Jelic brings to SOCOTEC more than 25 years of extensive experience in engineering and consulting. He holds a PhD in structural engineering from Imperial College London and is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York. His impressive credentials also span certifications such as MIStructE, CEng (UK), and LEED AP. Jelic most recently served as a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he oversaw large-scale capital project advisory services across Southeast Asia. His prior experience includes a significant tenure at McKinsey & Company, focusing on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and energy projects, as well as a 15-year stint at Arup, managing major international engineering ventures.

Elevation of Technical Consulting

The appointment of Jelic is seen as a key component in SOCOTEC's multi-faceted strategy to scale its advisory and forensic engineering capabilities. This process is crucial, especially as clients increasingly require partners who can navigate their projects' complexities, ensuring informed decision-making and effective risk management.

Nicolas Detchepare, CEO of SOCOTEC USA, remarked, “What has remained constant is our role as a trusted third-party partner to our clients.” He emphasized how projects are becoming more complex, thereby necessitating a stronger integration of specialized engineering with advisory services. Jelic’s entrance into the team is expected to bolster these attributes significantly.

Focus on High-Value Advisory Services

At SOCOTEC, Jelic will lead an expansive team across 40 offices from his base in New York. His focus will be on accelerating the growth of the high-value advisory services sector as well as strengthening forensic engineering capabilities. Leveraging SOCOTEC's national network of specialized laboratories and experienced engineers, Jelic aims to empower clients dealing with complex projects and disputes.

Furthermore, Jelic acknowledges the challenges faced by clients in today’s high-risk environments. He stated, “What matters is having access to clear, credible, and technically grounded advice.” This commitment to providing clarity amid complexity is what he believes will define SOCOTEC's approach moving forward.

TCA Leadership Transition

Jelic’s appointment aligns with other leadership changes within the TCA division, including Robert Vecchio's transition to Chief Technical Officer, where he will continue to advocate for technical excellence within SOCOTEC USA.

This new leadership structure is strategically aligned to accelerate the growth of SOCOTEC's Technical Consulting & Advisory platform, ensuring that the firm continues to deliver reliable expertise across various sectors.

About SOCOTEC

For over 70 years, SOCOTEC has established itself as a leading independent third party in risk management, compliance, safety, health, and environmental services, serving the building, real estate, infrastructure, and industry sectors. With a commitment to integrity and sustainability, SOCOTEC provides a broad spectrum of Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, ensuring the quality and longevity of built assets. Operating in 26 countries and employing around 15,000 professionals, SOCOTEC remains dedicated to enhancing the safety and performance of the built environment, catering to over 250,000 clients globally. Known as the number one provider of construction inspection in France, SOCOTEC is poised for growth and innovation in the advisory space with Ivan Jelic at the helm of its TCA division.