Capita Symonds gets new boss and new plan

Consultant Capita Symonds has replaced its managing director for the second time in less than a year and refocused its business.

Jonathan Goring, presently an executive director, is to replace Bill Dye in the top job. Dye will return to his role as group executive director at Capita Group, the parent company of Capita Symonds.

Dye replaced Richard Marchant as managing director last July after rapid growth at the firm. Marchant moved to the Capita Group to become business development director.

The shake-up reflects growth in the group, particularly in the areas of project and programme management and council work.

Goring said: “We want to give a clear message about where the company is heading. The plan is to focus on growth in these two particularly successful areas.”

The appointment will coincide with a wider restructuring of the executive board at Capita Symonds, which also reflects the shift towards local government and project management.

Four executive directors have been appointed: Darren Jacob and Chris Green from the management team, Dave Spencer from local government and John Southgate from infrastructure

Goring said: “The board has grown from six to nine. We are increasing our capacity to be able to direct more attention at our top customers in the two most successful business areas.”

Goring said he hoped the group would continue to grow after the reshuffle. In the past three years it has developed from a £90m business with 1,500 employees to a 3,800-strong consultancy with a turnover of £220m.

The group has made a number of acquisitions since the purchase of architect Percy Thomas in 2004. Its most recent acquisition was architect Ruddle Wilkinson in May. In February the group confirmed that it was looking to make another acquisition.