David Turner FRICS - Non-Executive Chairman
David was first appointed to the Board in 1997. He was chief executive of Barclays Property Holdings Limited from 1991 to 1997 and a divisional director of Barclays Bank. He is also Vice Chairman and Deputy Pro-Chancellor of the City University, and is a director of a number of private companies. David has a wealth of knowledge of the property industry and has broad business experience. He was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2003 and he also chairs the Nominations Committee.
Christopher Cole C Eng FCIBSE MASHRAE - Chief Executive
Chris was first appointed to the board in 1987 at the time of WSP IPO. Following initial training and education, Chris spent the first ten years of his career for a major contracting and subsequently consultancy business. He joined WSP in 1972 at its inception, becoming Managing Director in 1987 and Chief Executive in 2001. He chairs the Performance and Strategy Committees and is responsible for both operational control and the strategic direction of the Group. Chris maintains significant client contact together with regular liaison with our offices around the world. He is also Chairman of Ashtead Group plc.
Malcolm Paul FCA - Group Finance Director and Company Secretary
Malcolm was first appointed to the Board in 1987 at the time of the WSP IPO. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, Malcolm worked in both practice and industry before joining Longcrofts, a city accountancy firm as a partner specialising in corporate finance. He became Group Finance Director of WSP in 1987. He is a principal member of the Performance and Strategy Committees. Malcolm maintains links with the Group’s professional advisers and is responsible for the financial control of the Group.
Stuart McLachlan MSc - Executive Director
Having worked both as a practising environmental consultant and a manager of a London based environmental and testing firm, Stuart joined WSP in 1995 to be responsible for the start-up of the Environmental business. He became managing director of WSP Environmental UK in 1997, and in 2001 he was appointed Managing Director of WSP’s global Environmental business. Stuart was appointed to the Board of WSP Group plc on 1st January 2006 and has responsibility for the development of the Environmental business while undertaking a wider Group role.
Christopher Stephens MA - Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Chris was first appointed to the Board in 2003. He has many years experience in a range of industries including Consumer, High Technology and Business Services. Until 2004 he was the Group Human Resources Director of Excel plc (now DHL), the global logistic company. He is a Civil Service Commissioner and holds a number of non-executive positions. Chris chairs the WSP Remuneration Committee.
Marisa Cassoni BSc ACA - Independent Non-Executive Director
Marisa was appointed to the Board on 1st January 2006. She is a chartered account who is Finance Director of the John Lewis Partnership, having formerly been Group Finance Director of the Royal Mail Group. Marisa is a member of the Accounting Standards Board, and a non executive director of GFI group Inc. Marisa chairs the Audit Committee.
Ernest Sheavills FRICS ACI Arb - Independent Non-Executive Director
Ernest was appointed to the Board on 1st January 2006. He is a chartered surveyor who until his recent retirement was with The Royal Bank of Scotland as Director, Property Development and Asset Management, a position that he had held since 1992. He maintains close contact with and is an advisor to, a number of property organisations including Edinburgh City Centre Management Company where he is Vice Chairman, and Lothbury Property Trust where he serves on the investment board.
Mark Rollins BEng ACA - Independent Non-Executive Director
Mark was appointed to the Board on 1st January 2006. He is a chartered accountant, and has been Group Finance Director of Senior plc since 2000. He was formerly with the Morgan Crucible Company plc and, before that, with BDO Binder Hamlyn.