Willmott Dixon is making two key appointments to its main board from 1 January 2023.

The first will see chief sustainability officer Julia Barrett promoted to the board as director responsible for sustainability and non-financial compliance.  

Barrett has guided the company’s sustainability strategy over the past decade, including the aim to become a zero-carbon business by 2030 through the Now or Never strategy. 

Alongside sustainability, her remit will also include being the board representative for the company’s health, safety and environment approach.  

Also joining as non-executive director (NED) is Juliette Stacey, whose previous roles include being group chief executive at engineering company Mabey and chief operating officer (UK and Europe) for Savills.  

Stacey is also a NED at companies that include Fuller, Smith & Turner and Renishaw, and her appointment is part of Willmott Dixon’s succession planning, with Christopher Sheridan retiring as NED in May 2023 after 25 years.  

Group chief executive Rick Willmott said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Julia and Juliette to the board. Julia’s promotion is recognition for her work shaping our sustainability strategy and driving forward our zero-carbon commitments, which has seen a 68% reduction in carbon emissions (relative to turnover) since 2010.

“Likewise, Juliette, who will chair our audit committee when Christopher steps down, brings a wealth of experience from senior positions both within and outside our industry and her financial and technical knowledge will greatly complement our existing depth of experience.”

These are the latest board appointments at Willmott Dixon. In July this year, the company announced that Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive at UK Green Building Council, was joining as a non-executive director.