Topic People
Date 22 Jan 2024
Galliford Try, one of the UK’s leading construction groups, has appointed Stuart Barefield to the role of Head of Technical Development for its growing Environment division.
Stuart will build on Galliford Try’s leading position to help meet growing demand for its specialised services within the asset performance and technologies markets, which as part of the division’s Source to Sea approach, delivers improvements for clients across the water cycle. He will develop and expand the division’s technical offerings, ramping up activities in asset optimisation and asset performance to accelerate the growth of the Water Technologies business.
Stuart brings with him more than 33 years’ experience in managing technical operations within the water sector, as well as developing and implementing strategic policies and plans to drive organisational performance. He joins the Group from Nijhuis Saur Industries and has previously held positions at Hyder Consulting and Wessex Water.
The appointment comes as Galliford Try’s Environment division continues its growth in adjacent sectors in the UK water sector, uniquely positioning the business to tackle the water sector’s challenges of ageing infrastructure, climate change resilience, funding pressure and a stringent regulatory environment.
Stuart will report into Rob Smith, Strategic Development Director of Galliford Try’s Environment division and become part of Galliford Try Environment’s Senior Leadership Team.
Mark Shadrick, Managing Director of Galliford Try’s Environment division, said: “This is a really exciting period for our Environment business, and I am delighted to welcome Stuart, with his extensive technical knowledge and broader expertise, to our team. With AMP8 business plan outcomes just around the corner, Stuart will provide key support to positioning Galliford Try in adjacent sectors to our traditional asset creation offering as we transition to a whole asset lifecycle contractor, operating from feasibility through design, construction and beyond.”
Stuart added: “Galliford Try has an enviable position in the water sector and I am delighted to join the business at a key time in the water sector calendar, as Galliford Try develops and expands its technical offerings.”
The move represents another milestone in the Group’s Sustainable Growth Strategy, which has helped cement Galliford Try’s position as one of the biggest players in the water sector. Last year, Galliford Try completed the acquisition of AVRS Systems, which followed previous acquisitions of MCS Control Systems Ham Baker and nmcn’s water businesses including Lintott.