Main Board
The Main Board is responsible to shareholders for the overall
strategy and direction of the Group. The Board usually meets on a
monthly basis and more frequently when business needs require. The
Directors have adopted a formal schedule of matters reserved for
the Board, setting out issues that must be referred to the Board
for consideration and decision.
GEOFF FRENCH, CHAIRMAN
Geoff is a Civil Engineering graduate who has been
with Scott Wilson since 1968. Following the transition from
partnership to limited company in 1995 he was appointed Managing
Director, initially of the business in the UK. He has overseen the
growth of the Scott Wilson business in the UK and the major
international business centres, ensuring the Group’s continued
position in the top ten engineering consultancies. He was appointed
Chairman in 2002 since then the Group revenue has doubled and he
oversaw the highly successful flotation in March 2006. In 2005 he
was elected to the Executive Committee of FIDIC, the International
Federation of Consulting Engineers.
HUGH BLACKWOOD, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Hugh joined Scott Wilson
in 1971 and developed his career as a civil engineer in the road
and rail sectors. He was made a partner in the business in 1989. In
1995 Hugh led the acquisition of the former British Rail
engineering offices in Swindon and Glasgow and took on the role of
Chief Executive Officer of the UK Railways Division. In May 2005
Hugh was appointed Joint Chief Executive of the Scott Wilson Group
charged with the continued successful growth of the International
and UK Railways Divisions. In May 2008 Hugh became Group Chief
Executive.
SEAN CUMMINS, FINANCE DIRECTOR
Sean was
appointed Finance Director and a member of the Main Board on 1
October 2007. From 1999 to 2007 he was the Group Finance Director
of Yule Catto & Co plc, a leading speciality chemical company.
Sean qualified as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse (now
Price Waterhouse Coopers), before joining Invensys plc where he
held a number of roles including UK Finance Director of Hawker
Batteries Group and Divisional Controller of BTR Power Systems.
STUART DOUGHTY, CMG, SENIOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stuart was appointed to
the Scott Wilson Main Board in 2005 prior to the flotation in March
2006. He is Chairman of Somero Enterprises Plc and Non-Executive of
Aigis Ltd. He was Chief Executive of Costain Group PLC between 2001
and 2005. He has previously held the offices of Chairman of the
Kennedy Construction Group Limited (1998–2001), Chief Executive of
Acer Partnerships Limited (1995–1997) and Director of Hyder Plc
(1995–1997). Stuart has also held executive positions with Alfred
McAlpine, Tarmac and John Laing. He is a Governor of King’s School,
Worcester. He is the Senior Independent Director, Chairman of the
Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominations
Committees.
CHRISTOPHER KEMBALL, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christopher joined
the Main Board of Scott Wilson in January 2009. He is Chairman of
The Davis Service Group Plc and Vice Chairman of Hawkpoint Partners
Limited, a subsidiary of Collins Stewart Plc. Christopher, who
holds a BA Hons in Law from Cambridge, was a Non-Executive Director
of W.S. Atkins Plc from 2002 until 2006 and has also held
Non-Executive positions with BPT Plc and Control Risks Group
Limited. Christopher has a background in investment banking, having
held executive positions with Kleinwort Benson, Dillon Read, Baring
Brothers and ING Barings. He is a member of the Audit, Remuneration
and Nominations Committees.
JAMES NEWMAN, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
James was appointed to the Scott Wilson Main Board in
2006. He is Chairman of Straight plc, Infoserve Group plc, Brulines
(Holdings) plc and bglobal plc and a Non-Executive Director of
Dignity plc as well as a Governor of Sheffield Hallam University.
He was formerly Deputy Chief Executive and Group Finance Director
of Kelda Group plc and a number of other public companies. He was
Chairman of Waste Recycling Group plc and a Non-Executive Director
of Richmond Foods plc before their respective takeovers in 2003 and
2006. James is a Chartered Accountant and Member of the Association
of Corporate Treasurers. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and
a member of the Remuneration and Nominations Committees.
GEOFF REDWOOD, COMPANY SECRETARY
Geoff joined Scott Wilson in 1984 and has been Group
Company Secretary since 1998. He has responsibility for Group
statutory compliance, servicing of the Board and Board Committees,
the Group property and insurance portfolios and managing corporate
legal affairs. Geoff is a Chartered Secretary and a member of
the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.
