WYG appoints new boss

Haynes will take over in July, when current incumbent John Purvis steps down prior to his retirement. Coinciding with Haynes’ appointment, Building has learned that the consultant is to launch an energy division, focusing on nuclear and renewables work.

Until recently, Haynes was the chief executive of BNG, a main board director of British Nuclear Fuels Limited and chief executive of the Highways Agency.

Peter Wood, WYG chairman, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve recruited such a capable and experienced successor in Lawrie Haynes. His background and expertise will enable us to continue our growth as one of the leading multidisciplinary consulting groups."

WYG has identified energy and transport, two areas of Haynes’ expertise, as growth sectors. It is set to launch an energy business, that will draw together the company’s work in the nuclear and wider renewables sectors.

I’m delighted that we’ve recruited such a capable and experienced successor

Peter Wood, WYG chairman

It is thought that the energy division may have a presence in the new-build nuclear sector. The division is due to be launched in the middle of next month.

The company has experience of consultancy work in nuclear decommissioning and waste management. It has been appointed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency to the review panel looking at accelerating the decommissioning of Magnox sites, and is working for BNG at Sellafield.

The consultant also has a “sustainability bureau”, which provides renewable energy, carbon footprinting and environmental assessment services to clients. The group has worked on the design of wind turbine farms in north-west Scotland and the development of bio-diesel plants in Belfast and County Tipperary in Ireland.