COSTAIN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Change Programme Director
- Director of Strategy and Transformation
Abida Lalani joined Costain as change programme director in November 2019 and is focused on accelerating the implementation of Costain's strategy across its four markets in transportation, water, energy and defence. Abida has since also taken on day-to-day strategy and planning for the Group and oversees the running of our Group wide transformation programme and other business improvement activities. Prior to Costain, Abida worked for HSBC, KPMG and Lloyds Banking Group where she formed a niche in large-scale transformation programmes, in particular integration or separation activity as a result of mergers, acquisitions, divestments or carve-outs. She has lived and worked across the UK and continental Europe, the USA, Middle East and Asia. Abida is also the executive sponsor for the Religious Ethnic and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Network at Costain.
Adam is passionate about providing our clients with innovative solutions using the latest technology combined with his strong project management skills.
Job Titles:
- Technology Manager
- Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers
Having led almost 100 feasibility studies, with 25 granted patents and 40 years' experience under his belt, Adrian Finn, process technology manager, is perfectly placed to provide clients with leading-edge climate change solutions as part of our recently launched climate change action plan.
Knowing that energy efficiency is critical to climate change mitigation, Adrian has built his career on using thermodynamic principles in process plant design to minimise energy consumption and optimise plant designs, helping clients minimise carbon emissions and reduce costs.
Adrian believes the key challenges to climate change are not technology and engineering issues but the need for co-ordination between world governments on implementation of common decarbonisation goals around the incentivisation of technology development, building and operation of facilities based on alternative "green" energy, especially for heat, to supply industry, transportation and commercial and domestic properties.
Adrian is a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, has over sixty publications in technical journals and authored Section 16, on "Hydrocarbon Recovery", in the latest GPSA "Engineering Data Book".
Alex was appointed to the Board as CEO in May 2019
Skills and experience
Alex joined Costain in 1992 and has been a member of the Executive Board since 2006. Before becoming CEO, Alex played a leading role in Costain's transformation into an infrastructure solutions business through his leadership of the development and growth of the Group's consultancy and technology services. In his role as managing director, Natural Resources, Alex delivered significant growth in profit and margin. Alex is a qualified chartered quantity surveyor and has worked on infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally and additionally held various corporate roles across HR, strategy, M&A and corporate development. In 2009 he completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Job Titles:
- Independent Non - Executive Director
Amanda was appointed to the Board in December 2023.
Skills and experience
Amanda was CEO of Amey, the engineering and infrastructure company, from 2019 until 2022. With considerable expertise in transportation, infrastructure and defence, Amanda restructured the business, redefining the strategy, building strong client relationships and improving contract risk and performance, leading to its successful sale in 2022. Prior to Amey, Amanda held two managing director positions at Balfour Beatty plc, improving their market share in key sectors, and held a senior management position at the construction firm, Alfred McAlpine. Amanda is a passionate advocate for ESG including diversity and inclusion.
Job Titles:
- Advanced Sustainable Materials Advisor
Passionate about problem solving, Andrew started his career as an apprentice carpenter where he learned about construction materials. This experience developed a fascination for engineering principles and pioneering the development of low carbon materials. He is a member of Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers.
Job Titles:
- Risk and Assurance Director
Job Titles:
- Integrated Transport Director
Job Titles:
- Chief People and Sustainability Officer
Job Titles:
- Group Behavioural Management Director
Job Titles:
- Director - Executive Board
David Taylor joined the Company in 2009 and was appointed to the Executive Board as Group commercial director in January 2015 and interim managing director Transportation in October 2023, having held a number of senior leadership roles within the business. David also has significant supply chain and procurement experience and has long advocated the benefits of strategic partnerships. Since December 2020, David is the executive sponsor for wellbeing for the Group and represents Costain on BITC's Wellbeing Leadership Team.
Prior to joining Costain, David acquired more than 25 years' experience with Taylor Woodrow where he held the position of commercial director for its UK operations.
Job Titles:
- Engineering Technical Director
Job Titles:
- Independent Non - Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Key Account Director in Aviation
Job Titles:
- Technical Development Director
Job Titles:
- Media and Financial PR Media Enquiries
Job Titles:
- Group Environmental Director
Job Titles:
- Renewals Partner at Heathrow
Job Titles:
- Integrated Transport Consultant
Helen was appointed to the Board as CFO in November 2020
Skills and experience
Helen has a strong financial background underpinned by her profession as a chartered accountant. She is an experienced public company chief financial officer with a high level of understanding of investor relations and change programmes, including in organisations undergoing periods of strategic change. Helen has also driven finance transformation programmes to significantly improve processes, systems and culture. She has worked in multiple sectors and is highly commercial, able to balance both short and long-term goals, develop strategic options and contribute broadly to the business. Prior to joining Costain, Helen held roles as chief financial officer of De La Rue and Premier Farnell. She has also held senior finance roles at Pelican Rouge, AZ Electronic Materials and HSS Hire.
Job Titles:
- Key Account Director for Place
Job Titles:
- Lead Consultant for Social Value
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director - Transportation
Jonathan Willcock was appointed managing director of Transportation in April 2024. He has a wealth of experience in infrastructure and joins Costain from Skanska, where he was managing director of Skanska UK's Infrastructure Division, working to increase revenue and market share and delivering complex projects in sectors including highways, rail, energy and water. Prior to that, Jonathan was managing director of Alstom Transport UK's Systems, Signalling and Infrastructure Division, growing the business and winning and delivering key work from Network Rail, TfL and other transport bodies.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Expert Management Team
- Non - Executive Chair
Kate Rock, Chair, leads our experienced Board and Alex Vaughan, pictured left, leads our expert management team.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Project Manager Sam Derbyshire, Finance Graduate
Nicole Geoghegan - Chief Legal Officer, Secretary
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- General Counsel
Nicole is a highly experienced General Counsel and Company Secretary with an extensive background in major/mega projects and infrastructure, covering the full asset lifecycle. Nicole spent six years on the HS2 project as General Counsel and Company Secretary prior to joining Costain. She has significant international experience in rail/transport, engineering and project services and is an expert in public sector procurement, fit-for-purpose governance and effective risk management.
Job Titles:
- Investor Relations Director
Sam White - Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director - Natural Resources
Sam White was appointed managing director of Natural Resources in January 2022. He has a strong track record in developing strategic customer relationships and delivering enhanced business performance and growth, gained through a variety of challenging multi-sector roles in multi-national organisations. Sam joined Costain from Babcock International Group where he held various leadership roles across defence, energy and engineering services. Prior to this he held roles with BAE systems and General Dynamics. Sam is a qualified executive coach and is a passionate advocate of inclusion and diversity.
Samuel Dyke, apprentice civil engineer Bianca Wheeler, trainee engineer Lacey Hollingsworth, apprentice civil engineer
Job Titles:
- Independent Non - Executive Director
Steve was appointed to the Board in November 2023.
Skills and experience
With a firm commitment to ESG, Steve is an experienced executive and non-executive director with extensive expertise in water and defence, together with experience of contracting and complex joint ventures. Steve was chief executive officer of United Utilities Group PLC from 2011 until March 2023 and led significant growth during that period. During 30 years at BAE Systems Plc, Steve held various senior positions before being appointed chief operating officer and a member of the board. Steve was previously senior independent director of G4S plc.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Senior Independent Director
Tony was appointed to the Board in February 2021, became chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in May 2021 and senior independent director in January 2022
Skills and experience
Tony is a chartered accountant with a wealth of financial experience gained during multiple senior roles in high profile large companies and as a chair of audit committees. He also brings to the Board his business turnaround experience from his time as CFO then CEO at Laird. Tony possesses the recent and relevant financial experience in accounting and auditing required to effectively chair the Audit and Risk Committee. Tony was previously chief financial officer of Drax Group, held senior finance roles at Marks & Spencer and was senior independent director and chair of the audit committee for the Port of London Authority.