Ex-Navy commander Bob Anstey has been appointed by Costain to lead the defence and nuclear businesses in a more operationally efficient and effective structure.

With a continued focus on supporting UK deterrent and UK energy resilience, Anstey’s role will ensure that Costain maintains existing strategic relationships across the defence and nuclear landscape.

Awarded an OBE in 2020, Anstey has a distinguished 36-year career in the Royal Navy. 

At sea, he completed strategic deterrent submarine patrols, and onshore, he focused on training, capability management and support to operations. 

His last role in the Royal Navy was as naval base commander of His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde. 

Natural resources managing director, Sam White, said: “Ensuring long-term, low carbon, energy resilience through our civil nuclear work contributes to protecting the UK from climate change while our work across defence supports the UK’s most strategic systems and the service personnel that use infrastructure to live, work and train for operations. 

“To continue to deliver efficient and practical solutions to complex client challenges, Bob will initially focus on the interrelations between defence and nuclear to bring about the best solutions to make infrastructure fit for the future.” 

Commenting on his appointment, Anstey said: “As a delivery partner to the defence and nuclear industry, Costain has used its heritage in complex project delivery to engineer solutions to some of the most complex problems in those industries. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and supporting clients and partners who are truly protecting and powering people's lives.”