Barhale creates new board roles in water infrastructure drive

Barhale has announced a restructuring of its executive board and regional structure, creating five new director posts to support long-term growth in water infrastructure.

The overhaul includes three new senior director roles and a redrawing of the firm’s regional boundaries to align with key utility clients. The civil engineering and infrastructure contractor is targeting the water sector in particular, following its recent award to United Utilities’ AMP8 Lot 2 framework and its work on the £3bn Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP).

In its latest accounts, Barhale reported a 34 per cent increase in revenue in the 2024–25 financial year, with a forward order book of £1.85bn. The figures are in line with a strategic plan set four years ago.

Current northern regional director James Ingamells has been promoted to the new position of chief operating officer, where he will oversee all construction operations and site safety. He will formally take on the role from January 2026, reporting to chief executive Martin Brown.

Yorkshire regional director Mark Wood has been appointed regional director – HARP, leading delivery for United Utilities as a tier 1 subcontractor to Strabag on the 110km aqueduct upgrade.

He will be succeeded in Yorkshire by Johannes Esterhuyse, who joined Barhale in June 2025 from AmcoGiffen. Brown said Esterhuyse’s 38 years of infrastructure experience would support the firm’s work with Yorkshire Water and its AMP8 targets under PR24.

Jonathan Moxom has been named regional director for a newly created Midlands region. He returns to the UK from EllisDon in Canada, where he worked on major projects alongside Brown.

A fifth appointment—to lead a new North West region—is due to be announced shortly. The region will include the United Utilities AMP8 Lot 2 work and the HARP scheme.

The appointments of Wood, Esterhuyse and Moxom are effective immediately.

Source: Barhale announcement