45 world records were set in the London marathon earlier this month, including fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas, fastest marathon dressed as a savoury food, and fastest marathon dressed as a Christmas cracker.

In Transport & infrastructure, HS2 paused works around Euston and Smart Motorways were called off, but it’s still a hive of activity for this months’ movers and shakers…

Network Rail

Has confirmed the appointment of three new Directors in the Wales & Western region.

Nick Millington has moved into the permanent role of Route Director on the Wales and Borders route, Marcus Jones has been appointed as the new Route Director for the Western route, leaving MTR Elizabeth Line. Sophie Bancroft  takes on the role of Operations Director, also for the Western route.

Atkins

Andrew Jones joins as Planning and Consenting - Senior Director. He leaves AECOM where he was Head of Cities, UK & Europe.

Richard Bonner also takes up the role of Market Director for the buildings and places team, leaving Arcadis.

AECOM

Have appointed Robert Noden as its Strategy and Growth Director for its environment, water and energy (EWE) business line in Europe and India. Noden leaves GHD where he was Sector Leader, Environment – EMEA.

Keltbray

Have appointed Andrew Chaney as Commercial Director for its Built Environment Division, reporting to Vince Corrigan. He joins from Laing O’Rourke, where he has worked for over 25 years.

STRABAG

Edward Bunn has joined as Commercial Director, leaving Skanska where he has been for the past 8 years, most recently as Commercial Director Projects.

Skanska

Have appointed Sarah Staunton as Operations Director - Water & Environment. Staunton returns to Skanska following 2 years at Laing O’Rourke.

Taylor Airey

Have welcomed Rashid Wahidi as a Principal Consultant. Wahidi has over 40 years’ experience in the rail industry with infrastructure providers, transport consultancy, railways, and rolling stock organisations.

Tilbury Douglas

Have appointed Ben Hull as its National Education Director. Hull formerly served as Regional Design and Planning Manager for Yorkshire and the North East in a career spanning more than two decades with the company.

McGee

Richard Wilkinson has joined as Civils and Structures Director. Wilkinson leaves Laing O’Rourke where he has been since 1992, most recently as Operations Delivery Leader.

Skanska

Katy Dowding will take over as new President and CEO of Skanska UK next week following the news that current incumbent Gregor Craig is set to retire. Dowding has been at Skanska for 20 years most recently as a member of Skanska UK’s Executive Management Team and since 2017 as Executive Vice President with responsibility for Skanska UK’s building and building services businesses.

Network Plus

Kevin Fowlie has joined as Managing Director – Water. He leaves United Utilities where he has been since 2019, most recently as Commercial, Engineering & Capital Delivery Director.

Morgan Sindall Construction

Simon Arnott moves internally to become new Managing Director for the North West. He replaces Barry Roberts who is stepping down after nearly 18 years with the business. Arnott joined Morgan Sindall 9 years ago and has been part of the leadership team at Morgan Sindall Construction for the past five years.

Sir Robert McAlpine

Two senior Directors are leaving the business. Alison Cox, Managing Director for London is leaving to take a role at Cambridge University.

Ian Cheung the Managing Director of its Southern business is leaving after seven years with the firm.

Faithful + Gould

Sam Farthing moves internally to become Practice Director. He joined F+G in 2021 as Regional Director.

xburo

Sarah Peterson, has joined the mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy as a Director to drive forward the route to net zero and sustainability for its clients. The Chair of ACE Scotland, has built a 20-year career in engineering, latterly spending 8 years as a Director at Harley Haddow, the multidisciplinary engineering practice.

Tyne & Wear Metro

Kevin Storey has been appointed as new Operations Director responsible for overseeing the day to day running of services on the network. Storey moves internally from his previous role as Head of Operations Delivery.

EngineeringUK

Iain Conn has been announced as the new Chair of EngineeringUK, taking over from Malcolm Brinded on 1 October 2023. Conn’s career includes 34 years’ executive experience in the energy sector at BP and Centrica.

Get in touch below, I’d love to hear about your hiring plans for the coming year.