Big names in the industry have made some big strategic announcements that impact their top teams.
Two firms made board-level changes that confirm their future direction and follow significant announcements about leadership roles.
Role reversal
Earl Sibley
Vistry said on Wednesday that Earl Sibley is stepping down as chief operating officer (COO).
He has already left his role as a director of the London Stock Exchange-listed homebuilder.
Sibley – who joined Vistry in April 2015 – departed after his role was removed from the company structure.
“Earl has elected to leave the company due to the removal of his current role of COO,” the statement said. Removing the role will “reduce the length of reporting lines and ensures closer proximity of the CEO to the business”, the housebuilder added.
Modern man
Laing O’Rourke has appointed Peter Lyons as managing director (MD) for its Europe business, effective from 3 February next year.
He will replace Cathal O’Rourke, who has been running the European business in the tier one contractor since he succeeded his father Ray as group chief executive officer in March 2023.
Lyons currently leads Laing O’Rourke’s Specialist Trading Business Group, where he oversees piling specialist Expanded, precast factory Explore Manufacturing, mechanical and electrical specialist Crown House Technologies, plant hire firm Select and stonework contractor Vetter.
He has worked for Laing O’Rourke since 2002, when he joined the business as a graduate civil engineer.
The firm highlighted that Lyons is “passionate about the benefits of modern methods of construction”.
Starting anew
Two fit-out experts are starting their own firm to focus on the commercial office market.
Max Steward, former managing director (MD) of ISG Agility, and Chris Pratt, former joint MD of BW Workplace Experts, have launched Archer.
The firm will focus on Cat A and Cat B commercial office projects for landlords and occupiers.
Archer will combine “the speed and adaptability of the design-and-build model with the precision and quality control of traditional methods”, Steward said in a LinkedIn post yesterday.
“Starting a business is both exhilarating and challenging. Having a business partner makes all the difference, enhancing resilience, adding creativity, and providing a valuable sounding board for ideas.”
Steward rejoined ISG in January 2023 following a 12-year stint with the firm from 2007 to 2019. In between, he worked alongside Pratt at BW.
Pratt joined BW in February 2022 following five years at Parkeray and two years at Macmillan and Wright.
Mike Garrett and Jacob Hegarty of office design-and-build specialist Ikon will act as “supportive partners and stakeholders” in Archer, the company said in a statement.
Structural change
Alasdair Fowler
Construction engineering consultancy Tony Gee has announced changes to its leadership structure, including the appointment of Alasdair Fowler as its new chief executive in January 2025.
Fowler will also act as the firm’s UK managing director (MD). He was previously its executive director and has been at the firm for 14 years.
Executive MD Chris Young will take up a new position as chair of Tony Gee’s executive board, to oversee the group’s strategy.
Tony Gee said it was making the changes to reflect “continued growth”, and it expects its UK operations “to remain the largest part of the business”.
The firm recorded turnover of £45.3m in its most recent accounts for the 2022 calendar year, up from £41.7m in 2021, although it extended its current accounting period to cover the 15 months to 31 March 2024.
Passing to Buck
An ex-Labour MP is in line to become the new chair for the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced his intention to appoint Dame Karen Buck in the role. If the appointment is confirmed by the London Assembly, she will take over from Liz Pearce on 1 January 2025.
