Two former managing directors of collapsed contractor Buckingham have risen to senior roles at Keltbray and John F Hunt Regeneration.
Simon Walkley, who became group managing director at Buckingham shortly before it went into administration in September, joins Keltbray as managing director of rail in the company’s infrastructure services division.
Walkley fills the role vacated by Neil Thompson, who has moved to the senior management team in Keltbray’s built environment division.
Phil Price, managing director of Keltbray’s infrastructure division, said Walkley would help develop solutions to address the carbon reduction and productivity challenges facing the market.
“He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the challenges facing our rail customers, and his expertise in delivering major programs will be key to delivering the next phase of the Keltbray strategy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Group Contracting’s former managing director of major projects, Simon Hyams, has been appointed to lead the John F Hunt Regeneration procurement work.
Hyams worked nine years for Buckingham. Prior to this he spent three years as Commercial Director of the Institute of Energy Technologies following a series of senior roles at Galliford Try.
His new position will see him work alongside John F Hunt’s current board members, with specific responsibility for procurement activities including enabling works, earthworks and infrastructure.
John F Hunt Regeneration chief executive Ben Williams said Hyams’ appointment would add to and complement the company’s existing expertise.
“His decision to join our company is a clear endorsement of our commitment to strengthen and expand our service offering, our customer base and the sectors in which we operate,” he said.
The company is part of the demolition contractor John F Hunt Group, which specializes in heavy plant hire, lifting tools and equipment, power generation, asbestos management, concrete cutting, nuclear decommissioning services and industrial cleaning.
The group, one of the top 10 demolition companies listed in the 2023 CN Specialist Index, was one of eight companies to admit their involvement in bid-rigging two years ago.
John F Hunt Regeneration’s recent projects include site preparation, rehabilitation and infrastructure on 10 hectares of former industrial land as part of the £75m regeneration of Sugar House Island in Stratford, London .
