As the autumn season ushers in colder weather, a wave of significant appointments is taking place across the UK’s construction and engineering sectors, aimed at maintaining momentum on key infrastructure projects amid emerging challenges.

Most notably, the UK government has appointed Catherine Howard, a leading planning lawyer, as Infrastructure and Planning Adviser to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. This high-profile role will see Howard collaborate closely with Chancellor Reeves and Housing Secretary Steve Reed to drive forward the government’s next phase of planning and infrastructure reforms. These reforms are designed to enhance housing delivery and unlock vital infrastructure investment. The Autumn Budget is set to prioritise growth, low inflation, and disciplined public finances as part of a broader ambition to "get Britain building," government announcements confirm.

In a major industry leadership change, Balfour Beatty has named Philip Hoare as its new Group Chief Executive. Hoare, a civil engineer by training with over 30 years of experience in engineering, project management, and construction, previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at AtkinsRéalis. His appointment follows the announced departure of Leo Quinn, who had led Balfour Beatty for over a decade and will remain in an advisory role during the transition. Hoare's leadership is anticipated to steer Balfour Beatty through its next chapter of delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions and growth.

Among other notable appointments, Turner & Townsend’s Alexandra Pearsall has been named the youngest-ever president of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES). Pearsall's ascent comes after a structured four-year leadership pathway, reflecting an increasing emphasis on fresh perspectives within professional bodies.

Aecom has made dual strategic hires, promoting Steve Higham to Managing Director for Transportation in Europe and India, to lead its expansion in rail, highways, and urban mobility markets. Additionally, Ed Robinson, a former UK Army officer, has been appointed head of defence for the UK, Europe, and India, signalling Aecom’s intent to grow its defence sector engagements amid rising government defence spending.

In the roads sector, Costain has welcomed Andy Denman as its new road sector director. Denman brings over 25 years of highways and construction experience from prior roles at Amey, Jacobs, Skanska, and AtkinsRéalis. Similarly, Systra UK & Ireland has appointed Jonathan Scott as Managing Director for Engineering, reinforcing its executive team with Scott’s extensive high-speed rail experience, including work on HS2.

Policy and advocacy within the civil engineering sector are also seeing fresh leadership. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Ceca) appointed Ben Goodwin as its Director of Policy and Public Affairs at a crucial time for the UK infrastructure industry.

Meanwhile, RenewableUK has elected Laura Fleming, managing director for Hitachi Energy UK and Ireland, as chair of its board, alongside Tristan Zipfel of EDF Power Solutions as vice chair. These appointments come as the trade body prepares a new strategy and seeks a new chief executive, reflecting renewable energy’s growing importance in national infrastructure priorities.

Laing O’Rourke’s Europe hub has strengthened its strategic capacity by appointing Victoria Pomarnevska, former strategy director at British Gas, as its Director of Strategy and Transformation. Meanwhile, Build UK, an influential construction trade association, has named Paul Brown, CEO of John Sisk & Son, as its new chair in its tenth anniversary year, highlighting continuity in industry leadership. Katy Dowding, President and CEO of Skanska UK, also joins Build UK's board, reinforcing ties with major contractors.

In the specialised sector of temperature control and HVAC, Aggreko has bolstered its European team with senior appointments Andreas Essmann and Christophe Chihaoui, enhancing support for industrial and construction sectors amid increasing demand for temperature management solutions.

Finally, Burns & McDonnell has appointed Stacey Williams as supply chain manager for its UK operations, adding over a decade of EPC procurement experience, while Last Mile has named Richard Thomas as CEO to lead its scaling efforts in connections and network management following his term leading an engineering services provider in power and water networks.

These appointments collectively signal a determined push across the construction and engineering landscape to reinforce leadership and operational capacity as the industry confronts new economic conditions and policy frameworks aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and housing provision in the UK.

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Source: Noah Wire Services