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Willmott Dixon has appointed Stewart Brundell as chief operating officer (COO) of its £1.01bn-turnover construction business.
Brundell was previously managing director for the contractor’s London & East region.
He replaces John Waterman, who stepped down from the COO role earlier this year after a decade in post.
Brundell, who joined the business through its trainee scheme nearly 40 years ago, was Willmott Dixon’s first ever Trainee of the Year.
He will now lead the company’s construction division, which recently delivered projects including Stockport Interchange and the restoration of the Bristol Beacon.
Willmott Dixon chief executive officer Graham Dundas said Brundell’s promotion underlined the company’s succession planning and “creates the right platform for our next stage of growth”.
London & East delivery director Simon Ramage will take over Brundell’s previous role following a short transition period.
Ramage, also a former Trainee of the Year, will initially serve as deputy MD before becoming regional managing director in January 2026.
He has spent nearly 30 years at the firm.
The reshuffle forms part of wider changes to £1.2bn-turnover Willmott Dixon’s construction leadership.
North managing director (MD) Anthony Dillon will take on a broader role focused on business growth, while Midlands MD Peter Owen will support operational delivery across the business.
In addition, Richard Cotter, a specialist in corporate growth and strategy, has joined the construction board as a non-executive director.
Source: Wilmott Dixon announcement