An amicable split at Keltbray is among the changes of the guard across the UK.
The decision by the firm to sell its infrastructure business to private equity firm EMK Capital has led to board-level changes.
Darren James (pictured), Keltbray’s chief executive, is moving with Keltbray Infrastructure Services to become its CEO.
Stepping into James’ vacated role is Vince Corrigan, who joined in 2015 as group board director in a move from Sir Robert McAlpine, where he had spent 30 years.
Brendan Kerr is continuing in his role as sole shareholder and chair of Keltbray.
Drawbridge opens
Fast-growing contractor Castle has announced more hiring activity with a number of senior appointments made across the business.
The South Tyneside-based firm, which is close to having 200 staff on its books, has five new colleagues. Michael Parkin joins from Surgo as senior quantity surveyor; Gary Lambton becomes senior site manager; Arron Robertson is the new site manager; and Paul McIntosh their commercial manager. Georgina Archer joins as health, safety, environmental and quality administrator/document controller. The appointments are part of the firm’s transition into a principal contractor role.
Managing director Andrew Dawson said: “We have recognised a clear gap in the market and we are committed to filling it.”
Going to the ‘wells
Property consultancy Bidwells has appointed Jake Shaw-Tan as its new head of rural agency for Scotland.
He previously worked in the rural practices at consultancies Savills and Galbraith.
NI on the prize
Dowds, the multidisciplinary construction firm based in Ballymena, has announced Ciaran Tiffney as divisional director. He started in the industry in 2008 at McLaughlin & Harvey, as assistant site manager, before moving to London.
Minerals for the job
There’s a new team member at Quartz Project Services. Tim Robinson is switching from Arcadis, where he was a director for more than 10 years. He starts in September.
Task master
The new chair of the Construction Productivity Taskforce has been appointed just in time to influence the government’s plans for the industry.
James Rowbotham, head of workplace development at Landsec, succeeds Nigel Webb, former head of development at British Land.
The taskforce was founded in 2020 by the charity Be the Business to convene leaders from across the construction industry to develop better ways of working.
Rowbotham said: “The current economic environment is particularly tough on the construction sector, so the need for the work undertaken by the taskforce has never been greater.”
The heat is on
As part of geothermal operator Rendesco’s acquisition of ADP Group, there are changes at the top. Tom Page, managing director of ADP Group, will join Rendesco as head of drilling. He will be replaced by Josh Creed, and Dave Telford is joining the board as operations director.
Career building nicely
Barratt Homes/David Wilson Homes South West has announced the promotion of Mark Hughes as its new construction director. He’s made great progress, as he joined the firm as head of construction just 12 months ago.
Hughes will lead on build and quality targets plus work to meet Part L building regulations. He started his career at Linden Homes (now Vistry) two decades ago, and other roles have included jobs at Redrow Homes and McCarthy Stone.
Curtins call
Credit: Curtins
Engineering consultancy Curtins has announced that chief executive Rob Melling (pictured) is stepping down after 20 years at the top, having never worked anywhere else.
He was employed by company founder Bill Curtin himself in 1981 as an apprentice. He later joined Curtins’ board of directors in 1999.
Today, the firm works on masterplans worth in excess of £1bn and has transitioned to an employee-owned trust with 14 office locations.
He signed off: “Now is the right time for me to step down. The business is in better shape than it has ever been with strong leadership, a resilient operational structure and an extremely healthy market share.”
His successor has been named as Neil Parkinson, who has been with the firm for just 30 years. He will start in January.
Water way to go
One of a long list of tier one contractor Sir Robert MacAlpine’s alumni is bowing out at Scottish Water.
Ewan Robertson is stepping down as head of support services. His career began at McAlpine following his graduation in civil engineering. He then moved to Fife Council before switching to East of Scotland Water in 1996 as its contracts manager.
He said: “I’ve loved it; 33 years is a big part of your life, and it will be really strange not having the people from Scottish Water in my life on a daily basis – that is what I will miss the most, that interaction with all the lovely people I’ve worked with over the years.”
