Kier鈥檚 next chief executive is to be Stuart Togwell, who will take over on 1st November 2025 on the retirement of Andrew Davies.
Stuart Togwell is currently Kier's executive director and group managing director of Kier Construction.
Stuart Togwell is a chartered surveyor who began his career as an apprentice surveyor with Wates Group, where he worked for 32 years until 2019 when he joined Kier as the group commercial director. He became the managing director of Kier Construction in December 2022 and joined the group main board in October 2024, alongside chief executive Andrew Davies and chief financial officer Simon Kesterton.
Andrew Davies is the second leader of a Top Five contractor to step down this year, along with Balfour Beatty鈥檚 Leo Quinn, who retires in September after 10 years in post. Both men are credited with having taken the helm of major contractors at a time of financial unsteadiness 鈥� not to say distress 鈥� 聽and turning them back to safer waters.
Kier Group鈥檚 board chairman Matthew Lester said: "I would like to thank Andrew for his exceptional leadership over the last six years, which has transformed Kier. We proudly remain one of the UK's leading infrastructure services, construction and property groups. Under Andrew's leadership the group has increased its resilience, strengthened its financial position and currently has a record order book of over 拢11bn. Furthermore, during his tenure, Kier returned to the FTSE250 and recommenced dividend payments and has built a culture based on safety, delivery, discipline and performance excellence.
鈥淎ndrew and his management team set out a clear strategy, purpose and vision for the group, initially to deliver its medium-term value creation plan and latterly to deliver long-term sustainable growth 鈥� and with invigorated and motivated colleagues, Kier is realising this ambition. On behalf of the board and all his colleagues, I wish him the very best in everything he does.鈥�
Although Togwell was always the inside man, Lester said he was not the only candidate considered. 鈥淔ollowing a thorough internal and external selection process, the board is delighted to appoint Stuart Togwell as its new chief executive," he said. "Stuart has played a pivotal role in Kier's transformation and the board is confident that his skill set is ideally suited to leading Kier through the next chapter of its development and to deliver long-term sustainable growth."
Andrew Davies said: "It has been an absolute privilege to lead Kier and to transform the group into a strong and sustainable business that benefits all stakeholders. I want to thank all the colleagues for their support, hard work and commitment over the last six years in building the foundations to ensure Kier remains a leading infrastructure services, construction and property company that is vital to the UK and is better placed than ever to succeed."
Stuart Togwell said: "I am honoured to be appointed as the next chief executive and look forward to working with Kier's exceptional teams to drive success and growth and deliver for our customers, our communities and this industry that I am so passionate about."
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
