Global professional services business Turner & Townsend has made several senior leadership appointments in its natural resources team to further strengthen its capabilities in oil and gas, mining and power generation.

David Whysall has become global managing director of natural resources. He takes over from Andy Aston, who becomes global head of client solutions for natural resources, while also retaining responsibility for leading the business’ oil, gas and chemicals sectors. Jason Martin has been appointed as global managing director of clean energy and decarbonisation.

With almost 1,000 highly skilled professionals in its global natural resources business, Turner & Townsend’s combined team will work across the power, clean energy and decarbonisation, oil and gas, and mining industries. 

Whysall, who transitions from his previous role as UK managing director of infrastructure to lead the team, brings significant major programme expertise and has been involved in industry improvement initiatives, including the Infrastructure Project Authority’s Project Routemap and Constructing Excellence, which he co-chairs.  

“At a time when the natural resources industry is undergoing intense transformation to decarbonise and meet environmental targets, refreshing our leadership in this sector renews our focus on clean energy and decarbonisation,” he said.

“Our ambition is to support programmes that enable the energy transition while balancing energy security and affordability. The complexity of delivering low-carbon solutions requires a broader talent pool, ambitious leadership and a capable supply chain collaborating across the sector. 

“Alongside the investment in our people, in technology and in our capability, we will build on our already strong natural resources platform to help our global clients get even better at setting up and delivering high performing capital programmes.

“Working with our global natural resources team is a huge opportunity to be part of the solution that delivers a far greener and more sustainable society.” 

Having overseen significant business growth in Turner & Townsend’s natural resources business over five years, Aston’s new role will focus on enabling key clients to deliver on their strategic programme and major project goals. 

Jason Martin’s role, which is focused on the clean energy and decarbonisation market, is a response to the need for global leadership and collaboration across the natural resources industry to deploy low-carbon solutions and limit climate change. He is a chartered engineer with 30 years’ experience delivering major projects and programmes across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including in offshore wind. 

Completing the new appointments are Alan Sinclair and Finlay McLay, who are now heading up the UK and US teams respectively. Sinclair previously led the business’ Scottish infrastructure division while McLay brings extensive executive experience and market understanding from his time at Cumming Group, SNC-Lavalin and Rider Hunt International. Turner & Townsend’s acquisition of JukesTodd last year brought Steve Jukes into the Australian business, and he now leads the combined Turner & Townsend JukesTodd team in the region.