Major appointments across the UK construction and engineering industries signal a strategic push towards infrastructure growth and innovation despite seasonal and economic hurdles, with leadership changes aimed at shaping future project delivery and policy influence.
As the UK transitions into autumn, the construction and engineering sectors are seeing significant leadership changes aimed at driving progress on critical infrastructure projects despite the seasonal challenges. The latest round of appointments highlights industry efforts to maintain momentum through strategic leadership boosts and government advisory roles.
One notable government appointment is that of Catherine Howard, a leading planning lawyer, who was chosen by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to act as her Infrastructure and Planning Adviser. Howard’s role is to support the chancellor and the housing secretary, Steve Reed, in advancing the government’s planning reforms designed to increase housing delivery and unlock infrastructure investments. Howard, a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, is committed to fostering conditions conducive to long-term economic growth and private sector engagement, with a particular focus on projects like the third runway at Heathrow Airport. Initially working up to four days a week without pay, her appointment underscores the government’s prioritisation of growth, low inflation, and fiscal discipline in its upcoming Autumn Budget.
In the private sector, Balfour Beatty has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Philip Hoare as group chief executive. Hoare, a civil engineer with over three decades of experience, joins from AtkinsRéalis, where he previously held leadership roles including CEO of Atkins UK and Europe and President of its global Engineering Services division. His arrival in September 2025 marks the planned departure of Leo Quinn, who has led Balfour Beatty for over a decade and played a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s financial standing. Industry watchers note that Hoare’s track record in engineering and project management equips him well to steer Balfour Beatty as the firm navigates evolving infrastructure demands amid economic pressures.
Other significant appointments across the sector reflect a focus on specialised expertise and strategic expansion. Aecom has promoted Steve Higham to managing director for transportation across Europe and India, aiming to grow its presence in rail, highways, and urban mobility. Additionally, Ed Robinson, a former UK Army officer, will lead Aecom’s defence sector in the UK, Europe, and India, aligning with increased defence spending by governments.
Costain’s appointment of Andy Denman as road sector director brings in over 25 years’ experience, including previous roles with National Highways and Transport Scotland, signifying the company’s commitment to strengthening its highways expertise. Meanwhile, Systra UK & Ireland has named Jonathan Scott as managing director for engineering, leveraging his extensive experience in high-speed rail and strategic sector expansion into energy and water.
Within industry bodies, leadership changes indicate a strategic focus on shaping policy and enhancing construction sector collaboration. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Ceca) has appointed Ben Goodwin as director of policy and public affairs to guide advocacy and industry engagement. Build UK has selected Paul Brown, CEO of John Sisk & Son, as its new chair during its 10th anniversary year, signalling a continuity of experienced leadership as the trade body reinforces ties with major contractors, including Skanska UK’s Katy Dowding joining the board.
RenewableUK is also preparing for future strategic shifts with the election of Laura Fleming, Hitachi Energy UK and Ireland’s country managing director, as chair of its board, and Tristan Zipfel of EDF Power Solutions as vice chair. This leadership aims to drive the renewable energy trade body’s next phase, including the recruitment of a new chief executive.
In the technical services arena, Aggreko has expanded its European temperature and HVAC control team with new appointments to bolster support across construction and industrial sectors, while Burns & McDonnell has strengthened its UK supply chain with the hire of Stacey Williams, bringing over ten years’ experience in procurement within transmission and distribution.
Finally, Last Mile’s appointment of Richard Thomas as CEO, who joins from a private equity-backed engineering services provider, is set to advance the company’s network connections and management operations, reflecting ongoing innovation in infrastructure delivery.
These appointments collectively depict an industry gearing up for sustained infrastructure growth, navigating economic and environmental challenges through reinforced leadership and strategic reforms. Government and corporate sectors alike appear focused on aligning expertise with the ambitious goals set for Britain’s construction and engineering future.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent appointments in the construction and engineering sectors, with specific dates and details. The earliest known publication date for similar content is 15 September 2025, when Catherine Howard was appointed as Infrastructure and Planning Adviser. ([wired-gov.net](https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Chancellor%2Bappoints%2Binfrastructure%2Band%2Bplanning%2Badviser%2Bto%2Bclear%2Bpath%2Bfor%2Bnew%2Binvestments%2B15092025101500?open=&utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The content is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Catherine Howard and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The earliest known usage of these quotes is 15 September 2025, in the official press release announcing Howard’s appointment. ([wired-gov.net](https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Chancellor%2Bappoints%2Binfrastructure%2Band%2Bplanning%2Badviser%2Bto%2Bclear%2Bpath%2Bfor%2Bnew%2Binvestments%2B15092025101500?open=&utm_source=openai)) No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content. No variations in quote wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, New Civil Engineer, which is known for its coverage of the construction and engineering sectors. The report cites official press releases from Balfour Beatty and HM Treasury, both of which are credible sources. No unverifiable entities or potentially fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims about recent appointments in the construction and engineering sectors, supported by official press releases and reputable sources. All time-sensitive claims align with recent online information. The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was found. The tone is formal and appropriate for corporate communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides recent and original content about leadership changes in the construction and engineering sectors, supported by credible sources and official press releases. No significant issues were identified, and the content aligns with recent developments.
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