Board

Appointment

Kate was appointed to the Board in November 2022 and became chair of the Board and chair of the Nomination Committee in December 2022.

Skills and experience

Kate is an experienced non-executive director with a background in corporate communications and strategy and brings a strong understanding of the construction contracting sector, the application of innovation and technology to drive productivity enhancements, and of government. Baroness Rock is senior independent director at Keller Group plc (see below) and was, until 2017, a non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee of Imagination Technologies plc. She was, until January 2023, a member of the House of Lords Select Committee for Science and Technology and a board member of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.

External appointments

Keller Group plc; senior independent director and non-executive director with responsibility for workforce engagement. The Prince’s Countryside Fund; trustee. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); non-executive director.

Appointment

Alex was appointed to the Board as CEO in May 2019.

Skills and experience

Alex has worked in the infrastructure industry for more than 30 years and has extensive experience across programme delivery, private finance, operations and business leadership.

Alex joined Costain in 1992 and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2006. Before becoming CEO, Alex played a leading role in Costain’s transformation into a leading infrastructure solutions business through his leadership of the development and growth of the Group’s consultancy and technology services. In his role as managing director, Natural Resources, Alex delivered significant growth in profit and margin. Alex is a qualified chartered quantity surveyor, has worked on infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally, and held various corporate roles across HR, strategy, M&A and corporate development. In 2009 he completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Alex is passionate about safeguarding the future of our planet, helping people thrive and transforming the performance of infrastructure systems.

External appointments

Member of the Business in the Community Leadership Council.

Appointment

Helen was appointed to the Board as CFO in November 2020.

Skills and experience

Helen has a strong financial background underpinned by her profession as a chartered accountant. She is an experienced public company chief financial officer with a high level of understanding of investor relations and change programmes, including in organisations undergoing periods of strategic change. Helen has also driven finance transformation programmes to significantly improve processes, systems and culture. She has worked in multiple sectors and is highly commercial, able to balance both short and long-term goals, develop strategic options and contribute broadly to the business. Prior to joining Costain, Helen held roles as chief financial officer of De La Rue and Premier Farnell. She has also held senior finance roles at Pelican Rouge, AZ Electronic Materials and HSS Hire.

External appointments

None

Appointment

Tony was appointed to the Board in February 2021, became chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in May 2021 and senior independent director in January 2022.

Skills and experience

Tony is a chartered accountant with a wealth of financial experience gained during multiple senior roles in high profile large companies and as a chair of audit committees. He also brings to the Board his business turnaround experience from his time as CFO then CEO at Laird. Tony possesses the recent and relevant financial experience in accounting and auditing required to effectively chair the Audit and Risk Committee. Tony was previously chief financial officer of Drax Group, held senior finance roles at Marks & Spencer and was senior independent director and chair of the audit committee for the Port of London Authority.

External appointments

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC; non-executive director, senior independent director and chair of the remuneration committee. Laird Thermal Systems (Adparatus GmbH); chair and advisory board member.

Appointment

Amanda was appointed to the Board in December 2023.

Skills and experience

Amanda was CEO of Amey, the engineering and infrastructure company, from 2019 until 2022. With considerable expertise in transportation, infrastructure and defence, Amanda restructured the business, redefining the strategy, building strong client relationships and improving contract risk and performance, leading to its successful sale in 2022. Prior to Amey, Amanda held two managing director positions at Balfour Beatty plc, improving their market share in key sectors, and held a senior management position at the construction firm, Alfred McAlpine. Amanda is a passionate advocate for ESG including diversity and inclusion.

External appointments

University of Plymouth; independent external governor.

Appointment

Fiona was appointed to the Board in April 2022 and became chair of the Remuneration Committee in May 2022.

Skills and experience

Fiona is an experienced non-executive director and remuneration committee chair within the resources and industrial sectors including upstream oil and gas. Fiona has extensive experience in ESG, has completed Diligent’s Climate Leadership Program and is a member of Chapter Zero, a community of business leaders taking ownership of the climate challenge. Fiona has experience in operations, large programmes, stakeholder and global supply chain management from BG Group, Mobil, Rockhopper Exploration and Echo Energy. Fiona is a past president of American Association of Petroleum Geologists Europe.

External appointments

Ferrexpo plc; senior independent director and chair of the remuneration and ESG committees. Chemring Group PLC; non-executive director. Dowlais Group plc; non-executive director.

Appointment

Steve was appointed to the Board in November 2023.

Skills and experience

With a firm commitment to ESG, Steve is an experienced executive and non-executive director with extensive expertise in water and defence, together with experience of contracting and complex joint ventures. Steve was chief executive officer of United Utilities Group PLC from 2011 until March 2023 and led significant growth during that period. During 30 years at BAE Systems Plc, Steve held various senior positions before being appointed chief operating officer and a member of the board. Steve was previously senior independent director of G4S plc.

External appointments

QinetiQ plc; non-executive director and senior independent director.