BWB Consulting has announced the appointment of Sajjad (Sajj) Akbar as its new rail director.

With more than 33 years of experience in transportation infrastructure, he joins BWB to lead the rail sector's vision, strategy and commercial performance during a pivotal era for UK rail.

A chartered engineer with more than 15 years of specialist rail engineering experience across the industry, his career has included high-profile successes, including securing the HS2 Phase 2b hybrid Bill (£150m), being pivitol to the award of the Wessex Capacity Enhancement Project (£400m) and playing a critical role in the Northern Hub project, which featured the award-winning design of the Ordsall Chord Bridge.

Beyond rail, his expertise extends to highways and technology, notably managing the delivery of the National Highways Regional Control Centre (North West) and the Traffic Officer Service transition.

Dave Hollingsworth, managing director of BWB Consulting, comes at a time of “immense opportunity” as the industry moves towards the Great British Railways transition and the recent announcement made by government to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) and investment in rail projects across the North of England.

Sajjad Akbar, Rail Director at BWB, added: “ The UK rail landscape is evolving rapidly, and BWB is uniquely placed to help our partners navigate these challenges and deliver a world-class network.”

Other appointments in the sector include:

Mott MacDonald has appointed four senior leaders into newly created technical delivery director roles. The new technical delivery director appointments will sharpen project governance, efficiency and programme outcomes for UK water clients.  

Richard Walton was formerly head of project engineering at United Utilities; Galo Pinto led the operational water engineering team at AECOM; Nick Lowe was previously head of technical/non-infrastructure design at Wessex Water and Duncan Gracie was most recently water strategy and growth director at AECOM.  

They have all joined Mott MacDonald’s UK water business to drive efficient, effective project and programme delivery across AMP8 and beyond, demonstrating the company’s continued investment in excellence for UK water clients.  

Mott MacDonald’s expanded technical delivery leadership will help clients meet demanding schedules and regulatory milestones, while controlling cost and risk across complex multidisciplinary portfolios.

Tim Hill, general manager of the UK water and environment business, said: “Our clients face unprecedented delivery demands under AMP8. This investment in technical delivery directors reinforces our promise to bring the right senior expertise to the front line of programme delivery, so schedules hold, risks are managed and benefits are realised.  Richard, Galo, Nick and Duncan bring significant water-sector experience and a track record of leading complex multidisciplinary teams. Their focus is simple, to help our clients deliver outcomes, faster and with confidence.”  

Willmott Dixon Group has strengthened its leadership with three new managing director appointments

Judy Hegarty becomes MD at Fortem, Willmott Dixon’s specialist property solutions provider for social housing. She will work alongside chief operating officer Chris Tredget as Fortem pursues its ambitious growth strategy. The promotion comes after she became Fortem's deputy managing director at the start of 2025 when the company launched its 'FOR Our Future' growth strategy, and prior to that, was the company's finance director, where she led the implementation of commercial processes and IT systems that delivered £7m in efficiency gains.

Also becoming a managing director is Simon Ramage, who takes on the role at Willmott Dixon’s London & East construction region, having served as deputy managing director since August following Stewart Brundell's promotion to chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon Construction.

And Adam Worrall becomes managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, following more than 25 years' service with the group. He will lead the growth of the business with a focus on expanding Interiors’ office fit-out offering, underpinned by a people-led, performance-driven approach that prioritises accountability, collaboration and exceptional delivery for customers.

Infrastructure, construction and developments group Kier  has announced three senior appointments as it accelerates its naturally digital ambitions.

Nick Barnes and Ron Chambers have joined the business as head of data and analytics and IT director respectively, while Hannah McIlroy, who has worked at Kier for more than 12 years, becomes the new group data director.

Louisa Finlay, chief operating officer at Kier, said “A focus on our digital and data capabilities is central to our plans for the coming year and beyond, and these appointments put us in a strong position to deliver on our extensive ambitions in this area.”