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Paul Smith, new adi Group CEO

27 JAN 2025

NEW CEO FOR ADI GROUP

Multidisciplinary engineering firm, adi Group has announced the appointment of Paul Smith as its new chief executive officer, succeeding founder Alan Lusty.

The transition marks a pivotal moment in the group's continued growth and ambition to expand its operations and services globally.

Smith, previously COO of adi Group, steps into the role following a period of expansion for the business, with a new five-year growth plan and continued strengthening of its leadership and sales teams.

Smith has more than 25 years of experience in business management and delivering large-scale, high-tech projects across industries such as oil and gas, nuclear, chemicals and biotechnology - managing contracts with contract values up to $2.5bn globally.

He said: “I am excited to continue building on Alan’s legacy and drive the company forward, focusing on high-value, technologically advanced manufacturing solutions within the rapidly evolving sectors we specialise in.

“For me, it’s all about the future and the opportunities we have for growth. What excites me is the chance to deliver truly life-changing engineering solutions – from energy migration and the decarbonisation of the industry to working with R&D companies developing cures for cancer, adi Group is uniquely positioned to make a life-changing impact.”

Lusty, who led the business for over three decades, will transition to the role of chairman, with a focus on long-term strategy and supporting the group’s newer ventures.

He added: “After 35 years of leading adi Group, this is a natural progression for the business. We’ve built a fantastic team, and I look forward to seeing Paul take the company forward, carrying on the values, vision and mission of our organisation, which has always been to engineer a better future.

“While I’ll be focusing on the long-term vision and providing strategic guidance, Paul will continue maintaining and progressing the core business. His excellent leadership will ensure we stay on track to achieve our ambitious growth targets and keep providing superior service to all our customers.”

Under Smith’s leadership, the group will continue to serve its core customers while expanding into new and emerging markets with a focus on energy migration, circular economy, life sciences, mission-critical infrastructure and hydrogen technology.

Other recent appointments in the infrastructure sector include:

Network Rail has announced the appointment of Dave Hooper as new managing director for its Southern region.

He will join Network Rail Southern on 1 May, replacing Ellie Burrows who will move to become managing director for the company’s Eastern region.

The Southern region serves rail passengers and freight operators from Devon in the West, to Kent in the East, covering 544 stations and around 700 million passenger journeys each year.

Currently director of major programmes at Siemens Mobility, Hooper has held a number of leadership roles across the rail sector, including Osborne, Transport for London, Serco Rail operations and director level roles in two train operating companies.

He also previously worked for Network Rail where he led some early track-train integration work in partnership with South West Trains. 

Global consulting engineering firm Steensen Varming has appointed Gráinne McCormack as its new chief executive officer – which marks her return to the company as it enters its 100th anniversary decade.

Effective 1 March 2025, McCormack will lead Steensen Varming into its next phase of growth and innovation.

Having previously spent 10 years with the firm, which specialises in mechanical and electrical engineering, lighting and sustainable design, McCormack was instrumental in shaping its unique ‘one studio’ approach, uniting the expertise across its global offices to provide clients with the most advanced engineering solutions, regardless of location.

“I am honoured to return to Steensen Varming as CEO - a firm whose values and legacy have shaped both my professional and personal journey,” she said.

“In these challenging times of growing ESG scrutiny and financial pressures, our people will lead the way. Together, we’ll deliver the innovative, sustainable, and purpose-driven solutions our clients need to achieve their social, net zero, and decarbonisation goals, navigating this evolving landscape with integrity and excellence.”

Steensen Varming’s leadership transition is the culmination of years of strategic succession planning led by outgoing CEO Dan Mackenzie and executive director Chris Arkins.

Mackenzie will continue with Steensen Varming as chair of the board, supporting McCormack in continuing the firm’s success and award-winning design solutions.

Steensen Varming is behind some of the world’s most visionary engineering solutions such as the Sydney Opera House. Current projects include the redevelopment of Scott Base in Antarctica and the ongoing decarbonisation of the British Museum.

The Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE) new president has shared his ambitions for 2025.

Mohamad Al-Dah succeeds Tanya de Hoog in the role as the institution’s 104th president

Looking ahead to his presidential year, he is committing to embodied carbon action, forging partnerships, mentoring and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

He brings a wealth of experience to the role, with a global career spanning Cairo, Cardiff, London, Panama, Seoul and Dubai where he is currently the director at the Jointly Owned Properties Department, Real Estate Regulatory Agency, DLD, Government of Dubai.

He said: “Structural engineering is an ever-changing profession, operating in an ever-changing world.

“As such, we have the technical skills and influence to bring about positive change in the designs we create and build – to be more carbon literate; to forge meaningful working relationships with others; to foster a culture of mentoring and adherence to the best EDI principles – all this while ensuring what we design and build is safe.”

Associated British Ports (ABP) has appointed Brad Crumbleholme to the role of head of engineering and asset management for the Humber region. 

He has been supporting the team on the Humber on an interim basis for several months in addition to his current accountabilities as head of engineering and asset management across Wales and short sea ports (W&SSP) and leading the ABP wide energy project.  

Crumbleholme started at ABP in 2018 and reshaped the W&SSP engineering function, its people and processes.

Prior to ABP, he spent 10 years at Peel Ports covering the Mersey Division and before that spent 10 years working in manufacturing for a global stainless-steel manufacturer.

His heavy engineering career started in precision engineering where he was an apprentice toolmaker.

Crumbleholme will retain oversight of engineering and asset management in W&SSP until a replacement is found. He will report directly to Andrew Dawes and will be part of the leadership team on the Humber.

 

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