Skanska UK is strengthening its senior management team, as it prepares to take advantage of significant future growth opportunities.
Deirdre Murphy, who has managed Skanska’s infrastructure services operation since 2008, takes on a critical new strategic role, leading the development of Skanska UK’s 2020 business plan. She recently led the successful acquisition of Atkins’ highways services business, which brought an additional £180 million annual revenue to Skanska UK and increased the workforce by 1,200 people. The new role is seen as central to Skanska’s plans to expand its UK business. Murphy will work closely with Skanska’s executive board in developing the plan.
President and CEO Mike Putnam comments: “The management changes strategically position our business to benefit from the pick-up in the economy. We are bullish about the UK market, particularly in infrastructure. We have delivered five years of strong and stable performance during one of the most protracted recessions in living memory. We are now in a strong position to grow the business and tap into future investment. We look forward to further helping the country improve its infrastructure so that the UK remains one of the world’s most competitive economies.”
The managing director of Skanska UK’s civil engineering arm, Greg Craig, takes over running the infrastructure services business, with an ambition to grow Skanska’s share of the market. He brings to the position a huge range of experience, including significant highways projects, such as the M25 widening where he has developed strong ties with the Highways Agency. With a focus on total expenditure, Craig will be ideally placed to help Skanska deliver a seamless approach across both maintenance and civil engineering highways projects.
Thomas Faulkner replaces Greg Craig at the helm of the civil engineering business. It has taken him just 18 years to work his way up through Skanska, from graduate to managing director. Faulkner has gained broad experience across the infrastructure sector, building roads, bridges, tunnels and water treatment works. He has developed relationships with many of Skanska’s most important clients, including National Grid, Crossrail, Anglian Water and Thames Water.
Putnam adds: “We have been able to fill all these important roles internally, which is a testament to our efforts to be a leader in people development. We are committed to developing our people and providing them with opportunities to reach their full potential. I am excited about the future for our business and believe we have the right team in place to deliver a great result for our clients and shareholders.”