New CEO starts at Kier Group

UK-based Kier Group announced that its construction division had experienced a good second half to the year ending 30 June, 2014, with an "encouraging level of opportunities".

The contractor’s trading update stated that the order book of secured or probable work sits at £2.6 billion (€3.3 billion) and represents 90% of expected revenue for the year to 30 June, 2015.

Recent contract wins include a £35 million (€44 million) Kilmarnock Learning campus for East Ayrshire Council in Scotland; £44 million (€55.4 million) from Nottingham Priority Schools Batch (PSB) for seven schools in England; and a programme of healthcare works valued at more than £100 million (€125 million) at University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, also in England.

The announcement comes as Haydn Mursell takes over as group CEO.

Mursell has been with the contractor for four years, serving as group finance director. Prior to joining the Kier Group, he held senior roles at Balfour Beatty and Bovis Lend Lease.

He replaces Paul Sheffield who, in February of this year, announced he was leaving the post.

Mursell said, "Having had the opportunity to work at Kier over the last four years, it is a privilege to be taking on the role of chief executive.

"The business has some of the most experienced and skilled teams in the industry, and a diverse portfolio of clients spanning the construction, services and property sectors, so it is incredibly well placed to make the most of recovering markets.”