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May 30, 2022

Movers and Shakers in Transport & Infrastructure – The Headlines from May 2022

Crossrail opened its doors to the public this week, just in time for the Queen’s Jubilee. A quick mention to say congratulations to everyone who has contributed to this momentous project.

Before we roll into the long weekend, take a look at who else will be celebrating. Here are the movers and shakers in Transport & Infrastructure from May…

Yorkshire Water

Nicola Shaw has been appointed as Chief Executive succeeding Liz Barber who retired this month. Shaw joins from National Grid where she was UK Executive Director. She was also previously CEO of High Speed 1 and is currently a Non-Executive Director of International Airlines Group.

WSP

Paul Reilly has joined as the new Managing Director for its Planning and Advisory (P&A) business. Reilly joins WSP from Stantec where he has been Managing Director of the firm’s UK and Ireland Infrastructure & Buildings business since January 2020.

Electricity North West

Have announced the appointment of Ian Smyth as Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed Peter Emery, who will step down later in the year. Smyth leaves UK Power Networks where he is an Executive Member of UK Power Networks and responsible for UK Power Networks Services.

BUUK Infrastructure

Former Amey Managing Director – Consulting & Rail, Nicola Hindle has been promoted internally to become the Chief Executive Officer. She joined BUUK Infrastructure in 2020 as Chief Operating Officer.

Transport Focus

Have announced the new Chair of Transport Focus will be former Chief Operating Officer of Keolis, Nigel Stevens. Stevens takes over from Jeff Halliwell, who has chaired the organisation since 2014. His appointment takes effect from 1 June 2022.

Vistry

Have appointed Laing O’Rourke Chief Financial Officer Rowan Baker as Non-Executive Director. She joins as Chair of its audit committee as previous incumbent, Ralph Findlay, steps up to replace Ian Tyler as Chairman.

Balfour Beatty

Joanna Gilroy joins as Group Sustainability Director. She leaves Kier where she has been Group Head of Sustainability & Environment since 2019.

Ian Bridges has also retired as Professional Head of Signalling & Engineering Director. His replacement is expected to be announced shortly.

Transdev New Zealand

Peter Lensink has been appointed as Chief Officer and Managing Director. Most recently, Lensik led Transdev Auckland as Managing Director.

Wabtec

Garry Mowbray has taken the UK and Ireland Managing Director role at Wabtec, replacing Andy Derbyshire who has moved to the USA as Senior Vice President North America

VIA Rail

Cynthia Garneau has resigned as President & CEO. Chief Commercial Affairs Officer Martin Landry has been appointed to ‘ensure business continuity’ at the Canadian national passenger train operator.

Avanti West Coast

Shamit Gaiger has been appointed as Managing Director West Coast Partnership Development. She leaves AECOM where she has been leading the Advisory practice for AECOM Europe.

Mace

Rachel O’Donnell has been named as Mace Consult’s Retrofit Director, who will work with the business sector and practice groups to address the climate emergency as well as the building safety crisis. O’Donnell joins from AECOM where she has most recently been Director, Strategy and Growth, Environment Europe.

Darren Coleman also joins the business as an Operations Director. He leaves Bechtel where he has been for the past 5 years, most recently as Delivery Director working on the Crossrail contract.

Keolis

Leila Frances stands down as President Middle East and Hyderabad and Chair of KeolisDowner and takes up a Non-Executive Director position.

Urenco Global

Former Amey Group HR Director, Ian Deninson has joined as Chief People and Culture Officer on an Interim basis. Deninson is also Chair of the Board for Investors in People.

Freightliner

Have made several new additions to their teams. Paul Long has been appointed as Head of Professional Engineering Services, Rolling Stock. He joins from Loram where he has most recently been Technical Director.

Stuart Hodgkinson joins as Head of Terminal Engineering, leaving Amazon.

Paul Ryan joins as Production Director. Ryan joins from Siemens where he has been since 2005, most recently as Fleet Delivery Manager.

Turner & Townsend

Have appointed James Hardy as a Director in its UK Advisory team to grow its sustainability offer. Hardy was previously Head of Climate Change and Energy at the Greater London Authority (GLA).

Hitachi Rail

Justin Southcombe has joined as Commercial Director. He leaves  Perpetuum where he has been since 2014.

Taylor Wimpey

Have appointed former Mace Operations boss Mark Castle as Non-Executive Director in the wake of the departure of Pete Redfern. Castle remains a Non-Exec at Mace.

SNC Lavalin

George Mackintosh has been appointed as Technical Director. He leaves Network Rail where he has been Head of Planning and Performance for the Anglia Route since 2020.

Looking to make any changes to your senior teams? Get in touch to find out how an executive search will find you the best talent.

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