Kier have appointed Sophie Timms and Alpna Amar to its executive committee, effective from 1 May 2021. The appointments mark a rapid and well-deserved promotion for the two women, who have both made a positive impression since joining Kier in 2020.

Timms is promoted to the role of corporate affairs director and will report into chief executive, Andrew Davies. She will have responsibility for government relations and communications. 

Amar is promoted to the role of corporate development director, reporting into chief financial officer, Simon Kesterton. She will be responsible for group strategy, M&A and investor relations. 

Timms joined Kier as group public affairs director in October 2020 to support Kier's engagement with policymakers and industry bodies. She joined Kier from Zurich Insurance where she was head of UK corporate affairs with responsibility for government relations, external communications and sustainability. She also spearheaded diversity and inclusion initiatives for Zurich and the wider insurance sector. 

Amar joined Kier as finance director of transformation in February 2020. Since joining Kier, Amar has worked with the team and key stakeholders to strengthen Kier's balance sheet. This includes a range of capital market projects, the sale of Kier Living and a proposed equity raise.  

Prior to joining Kier, Amar spent four years as head of investor relations for TI Fluid Systems, a global automotive supplier, owned by Bain Capital, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. From 2010 to 2016, Amar served as vice-president of M&A for IAC Group, an international components supplier owned by Wilbur Ross. 

Andrew Davies, Kier Group CEO, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Sophie and Alpna to the executive committee and know they will provide additional strength and perspectives to the team as Kier looks to move into the next phase of its strategy.

"With Kier's role as a strategic supplier to the UK government, Sophie's extensive public affairs and communications' experience will be invaluable in supporting Kier's internal and external engagement, as well as ensuring we can help our clients to deliver on their long-term societal aims.   

"Similarly, Alpna's wide-ranging strategy, M&A and investor relations' experience will be critical as Kier looks to build on its financial and competitive position and deliver its medium-term financial targets."  

Timms said: "I am delighted to be appointed corporate affairs director at Kier. Since joining Kier, I have been impressed not only by the scale of the projects and programmes it delivers, largely on behalf of the public sector, but also its strong credentials in delivering long-term social impact in communities. I am incredibly excited to ensure we keep colleagues and external stakeholders up-to-date with the progress Kier is making and the role infrastructure and construction can play in supporting recovery from Covid-19, rebalancing prosperity and the delivery of Net Zero goals."

Amar said: "I'm very proud of Kier's tremendous success in delivering its strategy over the last two years and I'm excited for the next stage. The management team is extremely strong and I am confident that Kier will be well-positioned both financially and strategically to continue delivering value to shareholders."