Galliford Try names new MD for building division

Galliford Try has promoted Cliff Wheatley to divisional managing director of its Building division, ahead of Ian Jubb’s planned retirement in mid-2026.

Wheatley, currently managing director for the North East and Yorkshire building unit, will take up the role – and a position on the contractor’s executive board – from 1 January 2026.

He will succeed Jubb as division lead following a six-month handover period.

Wheatley joined Galliford Try in 2008 after its acquisition of Miller Construction and was promoted to his current role in 2014.

Operations director Jeremy Barnett will succeed Wheatley as managing director of Galliford Try Building North East.

Chief executive Bill Hocking said the internal promotions reflected the business’s focus on succession planning and its strategy for long-term growth.

Jubb will retire after 19 years with the business.

Galliford Try credited him with “a significant and instrumental role” in leading the expansion of its Building Division and contributing to its wider sustainable growth strategy.

The FTSE 250-listed contractor was ranked 11th in this year’s CN100 index, based on its 2024 revenue of £1.77bn.

In its most recent accounts for the year to 30 June 2025, the firm more than doubled its pre-tax profit from £19.2m to £44.1m. Turnover increased to £1.9bn.

Galliford Try’s Building division works on public-sector frameworks for bodies such as the Department for Education, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, the
Department for Health and Social Care, and Homes England.

Source: Galliford Try announcement