Two multinational giants in the construction sector reshuffled their UK boards this week.
Among the announcements was the departure of one of the few female CEOs at tier one contractors.
Skanska reshuffles
Skanska surprised the industry with the announcement of six changes to its top team in the UK.
Terry Muckian has been appointed to the role of executive vice president for the firm’s building unit. He joined in 2011 and has held three managing director (MD) posts leading the utilities, cementation and building units.
Andrew English is the new executive vice president for infrastructure. His rapid promotion comes after he rejoined Skanska in March as MD for infrastructure. English arrived from AtkinsRéalis, where he was MD of the UK transportation division.
Jo Mortensen is moving from Norway in January to serve as UK executive vice president for technology, sustainability and innovation. He currently performs a similar role in Norway.
The remit of Adam McDonald’s job is being expanded with a new title of executive vice president and chief commercial officer. He will lead on cementation, piling and foundations, and facilities-management operations.
McDonald will also head the Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil mechanical and electrical business. He joined Skanska as a graduate in 2003.
Executive vice presidents Thomas Faulkner and Swati Paul will be leaving Skanska.
Viala bows out
Bouygues UK’s chair and CEO, Fabienne Viala, is leaving after eight years at the helm of the firm, which was ranked 12th in the CN100 2024 index of top contractors.
Viala’s exit leaves Katy Dowding of Skanska and Joanne Conway of FM Conway as the only female CEOs of top-tier UK construction firms.
Her replacement, Philippe Bernard, who takes over in the new year, has spent 30 years at Bouygues Group.
Deputy chief executive officer Pierre-Eric Saint-André said: “Championing sustainable construction and fostering diversity and inclusion, Fabienne has transformed Bouygues UK.”
Loyalty card for Sansbury’s
Meanwhile, engineering and consultancy firm Ramboll has confirmed Neil Sansbury as its permanent MD for the UK and Ireland.
He took the role on a temporary basis four months ago and has been with the firm since 2016.
New chapter for APPGI
Ex-Mace director and now Labour MP for Northampton South, Mike Reader, has been elected chair of the influential 49-member All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure.
Reader said: “I’ll draw on my experience of nearly 20 years working in the built-environment sector, as well as on the expertise of the Institution of Civil Engineers and others.”
Robinson procured
Mark Robinson, chief executive of public procurement body Scape, has been appointed co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council’s building and places workstream.
He will be focusing on the infrastructure-levy consultation and best practice on achieving net-zero targets.
Full-on commitment from Halfon
Elsewhere, the Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) has appointed former education minister Robert Halfon to its partnerships board.
The panel, with funders including construction businesses, is aiming to get new industry entrants to adopt emerging technologies. It is also working to get the current workforce to upskill to help meet net-zero targets.
Halfon, who was the Conservative MP for Harlow until July’s general election, said: “GSAP is not just building houses but helping to construct the very foundation of our green economy.”
