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Kier has combined its transportation and natural resources, nuclear and networks operations into a single infrastructure division, alongside a raft of personnel changes on the company’s executive committee.
The move pools Kier’s work in road, rail, aviation, water, energy and environmental sectors into one unit, in a bid to position the group to pursue opportunities from the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy and national asset renewal programmes.
The new division will be led by Joe Incutti, formerly group managing director of Kier Transportation.
Chief executive Stuart Togwell said the change would allow Kier to “support our growth ambitions and deliver exceptional outcomes for our customers”, adding that it “creates a clear market-facing infrastructure powerhouse that strengthens our ability to serve our customers”.
Kier’s construction arm will continue to operate separately under group managing director Martin Staehr, who joined the executive committee this month alongside chief financial officer Tom Hinton.
As reported by Construction News yesterday, the shake-up has also seen former chief people officer Louisa Finlay become chief operating officer, with added responsibility for digital transformation, health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability.
James Askew, previously interim group managing director of construction, has been appointed group commercial director with oversight of procurement, preconstruction and business development.
Abi Cooke, formerly head of strategy for Kier Places, joins as chief of staff to the chief executive.
Kier said it had continued to win contracts in its “sectors of choice”, citing recent early contractor involvement deals with Southern Water and Norfolk County Council, and a government hub job in Darlington.
It has also opened a regional office in Birmingham, in a building fitted out by Kier Property.
The group will issue a trading update on 20 January, with interim results due on 3 March.