Switch at top as Capita Symonds grows

Bill Dye is taking over the post. He will also retain his role as executive director of the business services division at parent firm Capita Group.

Dye joined Capita, a FTSE 100 support services company, in 2002 and was appointed to the executive board in 2005.

The change was sparked by two years of expansion at Capita Symonds. Under Marchant’s leadership, it grew from a £90m business with 1500 employees to a 3500-strong consultancy with turnover of £200m.

After four years at Capita Symonds, Marchant is to move to Capita Group where he will be business development director.

He will be responsible for securing big deals in the public sector but will retain close links with Capita Symonds through continued involvement in public–private partnerships and joint ventures.

Capita Symonds’ acquisitions spree began in June 2004, with the purchase of architect Percy Thomas. It went on to buy architect Norman & Dawbarn, Buchanan Consulting engineers and architect Church Lukas. Its most recent acquisition was Ruddle Wilkinson in May.

After two years of expansion, staff said they were expecting some sort of restructuring. Capita Symonds staff were called to a meeting in Cardiff last Friday to be told that Dye would take over as managing director.

A source said he was surprised that the announcement was not about another buyout. “I thought they would be telling us about yet another acquisition.”

A spokesperson for Capita said: “Bill Dye has been a senior figure at Capita since 2002 and has gained a deep understanding of Capita Symonds, so from a continuity perspective it is a logical move.

“Also, Capita Symonds sits within business services so he is very familiar with the business.”