People moves: Laing CFO joins FTSE plastics firm, O’Brien ops lead steps up

Big-name contractors have dominated people moves this week, with a key figure at Laing O’Rourke leading the way.

Not to be left out, O’Brien and Kier also revealed changes, with strategic plans a major reason for the appointments.

Plastic fantastic

As Construction News readers will know, alongside eagerly anticipated financial results at Laing O’Rourke came the announcement that chief financial officer (CFO) Rowan Baker is set to leave the firm to join a FTSE 100 plastic products manufacturer.

Baker, who joined Laing O’Rourke as its finance lead in 2020, will join Essentra Plc as CFO on 5 November.

She will be replaced by Paul Teasdale, who is currently the firm’s deputy CFO and finance director for its Australia business.

Civil service

O’Brien Contractors promoted Lance Gudger from commercial and operations manager to the role of director.

The Midlands-based civil engineering firm said the “significant move” would bolster its senior management team.

Managing director Peter O’Brien said Gudger’s promotion “aligns with our goal of fostering internal talent and succession planning”.

Homeward bound

Residential contractor Castellum has appointed Lyndon Marfell as group managing director to help drive retrofit work.

He joins from Croydon construction firm Walter Lilly, where he has been for three years.

The firm, founded in 2005, operates across three divisions: London, Surrey and the Cotswolds.

Water feature

Infrastructure and consulting firm Aecom has appointed a new director to grow its environment, water and energy division in the UK and Ireland.

Will Barnett will lead the 700-strong team in the UK and Ireland covering utilities and public sector organisations.

He brings 25 years of experience in the UK regulated water industry to the role. He was previously at Jacobs, where he held a number of business management and leadership positions. He also previously worked for Thames Water and was engineering lead at Arcadis.

Aecom said Barnett’s top priority will be to “gear up for the AMP8 regulatory period from 2025-2030”.

The only way is up

Network Rail’s head of drainage and lineside Mona Sihota is the new president of the Permanent Way Institution, which since 1884 has represented people working in rail infrastructure.

Sihota has led on design, construction and asset management at Network Rail since 2016.

She said: “The industry cannot work in isolation. Fostering collaboration and sharing innovations is key to improving and creating a more efficient and sustainable railway network.”

Chartering a new course

As part of its business results announcement this week, Kier Group revealed Justin Atkinson will retire as senior independent director and non-executive director at the end of the month.

His post will now be split. Chris Browne, who joined Kier as a non-executive director in September 2022, will take over as senior independent director from 1 October. And Stuart Togwell, group managing director of Kier’s construction business, will be appointed as an executive director.

Atkinson started out as a chartered surveyor 37 years ago, focusing on construction and development.

Kier chairman Matthew Lester said: “Justin has made a significant contribution to Kier. He has provided excellent advice to me and the board and played an important role in Kier’s successful turnaround. I wish him well in the future.”