It was a quiet week for UK construction board appointments, but two moves stand out. Mace Construct has brought founder Mark Reynolds back as Chair and Chief Executive from the New Year, while Vistry has lined up an interim CFO after Tim Lawlor's departure, with a permanent hire not arriving until 2027.

Mace Construct: Mark Reynolds takes back the wheel. From January 2027, Reynolds moves from executive chairman to the combined Chair and Chief Executive role, with Jason Millett stepping down as chief executive. Stephen Jeffery, the chief operating officer, and Tony Arthurton, interim chief financial officer, join the board, as board and executive committee meetings are merged to strip out a layer of management. Nigel Cole is retiring from Infrastructure in early 2027, with Gavin Seager moving up and Danny Martin taking Seager's old specialist services seat.

My read: this isn't a tidy succession, it's a controlling shareholder taking direct charge. The numbers explain why: a £61.8m pre-tax loss on revenue of £2.3bn, with 2026 revenue expected to fall further as major infrastructure clients cut capital spending and the firm targets what it calls significant cost reductions. Add a rebrand, a new name due on 4 November with strategy to follow in the New Year, and a stated ambition to be a top three contractor, and this looks like a firm resetting from the top down. Reported by Construction Enquirer and Construction News.

Robert Allen Vistry: the CFO seat is still warm. Tim Lawlor has left as chief financial officer after four years in the role. Robert Allen, who previously held finance roles at the Crown Estate, Intu and Crest Nicholson, joins as interim finance chief, while Helen Miles, currently chief financial officer at Severn Trent, is confirmed to join as permanent CFO in 2027.

My read: a long gap at finance for a housebuilder under this much scrutiny tells you the board wanted the right person rather than a quick one. Interim plus permanent is a steadying play. Reported by Building.

Duncan Benedetti Matthew Orme Briggs & Forrester: orderly handover. Duncan Benedetti, with the business for two decades, becomes group chief executive on 1 January 2027, with Paul Burton continuing as chairman. Matthew Orme, currently operations director, steps up to managing director of the Living division.

Refreshingly boring, and a good sign for the £240m M&E player. Reported by Construction Enquirer and Construction News.

The pattern: founders and long-servers are being trusted with the reset, while the finance chair is the hardest seat to fill.

More moves

  • Helen Gawor Helen Gawor joins Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) as Chief Executive, arriving from ISG. (source)
  • Christopher Davies Christopher Davies joins National Highways as Head of Stakeholder Engagement. (source)
  • David Horne joins GBR as Integrated Chief Customer and Commercial Officer. (source)
  • Steve Keetley Steve Keetley joins AECOM as Highways and Streets Client Director. (source)
  • Steven Braithwaite Steven Braithwaite joins Tony Gee as renewable energy director. (source)
  • Sergio Cavalaro Sergio Cavalaro joins Government as Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser, arriving from Loughborough University. (source)