People moves: Position and management updates in the UK construction

McAlpine chief people officer takes early retirement

Ben Vogel — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:06:38 +0000

Sir Robert McAlpine has announced the “well-earned early retirement” of its chief people officer Karen Brookes, who stepped down last month after almost nine years at the firm. Her successor is Rachael Smith, who has been appointed as people and shared services director. Brookes “helped…

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Severfield appoints former ISG finance chief Andrew Page as CFO

Colin Marrs — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Severfield has appointed former ISG executive Andrew Page as its new chief financial officer, replacing interim finance chief Jan Bramall. The structural steel specialist said Page would join the board as chief financial officer and executive director from 16 February 2026, following what it described…

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SES appoints Heath and Boyhan to Engineering South board

Colin Marrs — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:38:20 +0000

Engineering services specialist SES has appointed Mark Heath as preconstruction director and Luke Boyhan as commercial director for its Engineering South business. Both men joined the Engineering South board as the firm sought to support growth across London and the wider South, including in commercial…

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National Highways chief executive announces departure

Ben Vogel — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:46:08 +0000

National Highways chief executive Nick Harris has announced he is stepping down. He will remain in post during a short transition phase, though no fixed end date has been confirmed. The board will appoint an interim chief executive while recruitment for a permanent successor begins…

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Barhale promotes from within amid southern region growth

Ben Vogel — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:17:56 +0000

Civils contractor Barhale has announced three senior-level promotions as part of its strategy to support regional expansion and promote internal talent. Phil Cull has been appointed national executive director and joins the £236m-turnover contractor’s strategic board. Since joining the firm in 2013, he served as…

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Willmott Dixon Interiors appoints new managing director

Ben Vogel — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:29:47 +0000

Fit-out firm Willmott Dixon Interiors has appointed Adam Worrall as its new managing director. Worrall, who had served as deputy managing director since July 2024, has worked across the Willmott Dixon group for more than 25 years. He began his career on site as a…

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Balfour Beatty promotes Slade to lead UK regional civils business

Ben Vogel — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:20:34 +0000

Balfour Beatty has appointed Kay Slade as managing director of its UK regional civils business. Slade will take up her new post next month. She replaces Mark Arrandale, who has served as interim regional civils managing director since October 2025. He will return to his…

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Leo Quinn set to join WH Smith as executive chairman

Colin Marrs — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:46:09 +0000

Retailer WH Smith has announced plans to appoint former Balfour Beatty group chief executive Leo Quinn as its executive chairman, pending shareholder approval at a forthcoming general meeting. Quinn, who stepped down from the UK’s largest construction contractor in September, is expected to take up…

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Caddick Civil Engineering appoints new MD to expand regional footprint

Colin Marrs — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:26:19 +0000

Caddick Civil Engineering has appointed Paul Ellenor as managing director, with a brief to grow its portfolio of third-party contracts and expand into the North East. Ellenor joined the Caddick Construction Group subsidiary after more than 35 years at Tilbury Douglas Construction. He became Yorkshire…

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Marshalls confirms Simon Bourne as permanent CEO

Colin Marrs — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:27:21 +0000

Building, roofing and landscaping-products company Marshalls has appointed Simon Bourne as its permanent chief executive officer with immediate effect, following his interim leadership since November 2025. The company said Bourne would now lead the “disciplined execution” of its transformation and growth strategy, aimed at "strengthening…

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