Costain has announced the appointment of Alistair Geddes as rail sector director.

Geddes joins from Balfour Beatty where he held the role of operations director leading its rail system business.

 In this role he looked after a number of manufacturing facilities, frameworks and projects for clients including Network Rail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London and others in the private sector.

He has also held leading roles for several significant infrastructure programmes including Crossrail, Hinkley Point C Marine Works and the Olympic Stadium transformation.

He will support Costain’s strategic focus on growth in strong markets, as well as ensure the business continues to provide predictable, best-in-class delivery to its customers. 

Geddes’ appointment comes following a successful period of growth for Costain’s transportation division.

Costain recently announced two significant contract awards for HS2, including a £400m contract to deliver tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems as well as a separate award to deliver high voltage power supply systems across the entire line, worth in the region of £300m to the Siemens Mobility and Costain Joint Venture. 

Alistair Geddes, rail sector director at Costain, said: “Costain has an excellent reputation and heritage in delivering complex rail infrastructure that improves people’s lives.

“I’m looking forward to drawing on Costain’s breadth of service offerings and expertise from across the organisation to continue providing best-in-class infrastructure services to the rail industry.”

Other recent industry appointments include:

Andy Bolas has been appointed as Kier Construction’s new defence sector director. 

The appointment comes at a critical time for both the business and the sector, with Bolas’ appointment providing leadership and focus on the contractor’s ongoing support of the nation’s defence and security programmes.

He has moved into the new role after six years as regional director of Kier in Gloucester and Oxfordshire, within its Construction Western and Wales business.

His new role marks a total of 25 years working at Kier, initially as a graduate in design management before going on to be responsible for delivering multiple high profile projects within both the private and public sectors.

This includes numerous projects with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and UK Atomic Energy Authority.

As defence sector director he will oversee a number of key projects and programmes including the Defence Estates Optimisation Programme, the Single Living Accommodation Alliance and HM Naval Base Clyde.

International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has announced David Johnson has been appointed chief operating officer (COO) –  and has also joined the group board. The appointments were effective from 1 March.

Johnson has been with Gleeds for more than 40 years, joining the organisation in 1983 and most recently held the position of managing director for Gleeds Europe, based in Madrid, Spain.

His new role will see him return to the UK to apply his experience of inspiring teams and navigating the complexities of expanding Gleeds’ global business. He will oversee operations across all regions, optimising processes and driving cross-functional collaboration.

He said: “I’m extremely proud that my career has been spent helping Gleeds grow. I have seen us evolve from a predominantly UK-focused cost consultancy into the global, multi-disciplinary organisation it is today.

“It’s been a privilege to have been involved in that journey and I look forward to continuing it as chief operating officer, supporting colleagues and clients as we begin the next exciting chapter.”

The latest changes to the operating structure coincide with the business’ relocation to its new Fitzrovia HQ, as it prepares to take up residence at 60 Berners Street this month.

Network Rail has announced the appointment of Julien Dehornoy, CEO of Australian intermodal public transport provider Keolis Downer, as its new North West and Central region deputy regional managing director.

Reporting to the NW&C regional managing director, Dehornoy will support with the leadership duties of the region, which is the economic spine linking long-distance business travellers, commuters and visitors to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and other tourist destinations.

It also boasts the West Coast Main Line, one of Europe’s busiest mixed-use railways that moves food, consumer goods, building materials and fuel around the country.

He will oversee the NW&C Passenger function responsible for the sponsorship of the region’s £6bn major enhancement portfolio. His team will also create the strategic advice for the future development of the railway and options for future investment and change, as well as the integration of major enhancements, such as HS2 into the conventional rail network.

With more than 20 years’ experience leading large and complex transport operations, he was regional managing director of France’s national state-owned railway company SNCF.

He was also CEO for SNCF America and chief of staff to the minister for transport in France.

In 2019, he became CEO for Yarra Trams - the operator of the Melbourne tram network before becoming the CEO for its Australian owning group Keolis Downer in 2023 that also provides bus, train and ferry services.

He will join the NW&C region in April.