Who went where?
The past year has seen a flurry of changes in leading roles in construction, not least in contracting. Here’s a look back at some of the highest-profile switches.
Kier
February’s announcement that CEO Paul Sheffield (above) was stepping down and being replaced by finance director Haydn Mursell surprised many. Even more surprising was Sheffield’s arrival at Laing O’Rourke in July as MD of its Europe hub, after suggesting he was looking outside the sector for opportunities.
Sir Robert McAlpine
London and south-east boss Vince Corrigan’s departure in October, after more than 30 years at the firm, shocked the southern market. The company replaced Corrigan, who it said left on “mutually agreeable terms”, with operations director Tony Aikenhead.
Willmott Dixon
Company stalwart John Frankiewicz, CEO of capital works, will step down at the end of 2014. His role will be split between three COOs, including John Waterman for construction. Frankiewicz will return in a supporting role in 2016 as non-executive director.
Morgan Sindall
MD Graham Shennan was made redundant in October and infrastructure MD Jag Paddam stepped down in June. Meanwhile, one of 2013’s high-profile departures, Overbury and fit-out boss Steve Elliott, resurfaced as chairman and CEO of interiors specialist BWI.
Wates
New CEO Andrew Davies (left) arrived from BAE systems in January, replacing Paul Dreschler who left last year.
Sweett Group
Long-term leading man, CEO Dean Webster, brought forward his retirement from the troubled consultant, leaving in October. A casting call is out for his replacement.
RLB
A surprise switch was the departure of irrepressible RLB UK chief executive Lance Taylor, announced in September. Taylor joins housebuilder Persimmon as development director for the South-east, while RLB has restructured to run “more like a partnership” under the stewardship of chair Ann Bentley.
Atkins
David Tonkin, UK CEO since 2010, stepped down in November. He has been succeeded by Nick Roberts, who joins from Atkins’ North America division.
HS2
The shuffling of senior roles in rail clients continued with Simon Kirby’s appointment in January as construction CEO of HS2. Kirby is former MD of the infrastructure projects division at Network Rail.
UKGBC
Paul King (right), CEO of sustainability body UKGBC since its formation, will leave early in 2015. King becomes head of sustainability at Lend Lease’s European business; his replacement is yet to be announced.
Government
The summer government reshuffle led to virtually a wholesale cast change for construction. At the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, the construction portfolio was handed from Michael Fallon to former planning minister Nick Boles (left). Meanwhile, Brandon Lewis became housing minister, taking the brief from Kris Hopkins, and also took on Boles’ planning remit. At DECC, energy secretary Greg Barker stepped down, with his role leading on the green deal and energy efficiency passing to junior minister Amber Rudd.
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