People Moves

The industry is set to see its 27th new construction minister in the past 25 years as Sarah Jones has left to join the Home Office. Jones was named as a minister of state at the Home Office on Saturday (6 September), following the wider government reshuffle in the wake…

Wates subsidiary SES has appointed Michael Hoodless, founder of the now-defunct Michael J. Lonsdale Group, as a non-executive director. Hoodless, who founded Lonsdale in 1986 and grew it into one of the UK’s largest mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractors before its collapse in 2023, joins the board as SES…

Costain has appointed Andy Denman as its new road sector director, as the firm sharpens its focus on delivering complex transport schemes and maintenance services across the UK network. Denman has joined the business from Amey, where he was highways sector director, managing relationships with National Highways, Transport Scotland and…

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 Crown Estate has appointed John Nicholson as its head of delivery and programme management, to lead construction across its urban development pipeline. Nicholson, who was awarded an OBE for his role in delivering London 2012 Olympics venues for the Olympic Delivery Authority, will oversee the roll-out of major projects…

Wates Residential regional development director Leigh Johnson has been appointed managing director of Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), ahead of a major phase of delivery at the 20,000-home east London scheme. She will join BRL in November 2025, taking over from Matthew Carpen, who led the organisation for 12 years and…

Severfield plc has appointed Paul McNerney as chief executive officer. McNerney, currently director for clients and government at Laing O’Rourke, will join the structural steel specialist in the autumn, with a start date to be confirmed. He will replace Alan Dunsmore, whose departure was announced in March, less than a…

Two senior leaders have left the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS). Executive chair Amit Oberoi (pictured) and chief strategy officer Alex Minett have both departed the organisation. Oberoi became non-executive chair in July 2022 and executive chair the following year. His directorship was terminated on Companies House this morning (12 August).…

The chief executive of building-control firm Assent has stepped down from his role, Construction News has learnt. Companies House records show that, in the last week of July, Iain Thomson resigned from his director position at 17 linked firms where he was listed as CEO. These included Assent Building Compliance,…

The government has brought in senior civil servant with a background in prisons to run Homes England, as the agency pushes forward with plans to deliver 1.5 million homes during the current Parliament. Amy Rees will take up the post on 8 September, reporting to the Homes England board and…