Ørsted has appointed Peter Hepburn as its new head of generation UK, effective 1October 2026.

Hepburn joins Ørsted from Spirit Energy, where he most recently served as operations director, bringing more than 30 years of experience leading complex offshore operations, asset-intensive businesses and organisational transformation across highly regulated, safety-critical industries.

As head of generation UK, he will lead one of the most significant operational portfolios within Ørsted's global generation business. He will be responsible for the operation of the company's UK offshore wind fleet, comprising 12 operational wind farms, just under 1,000 offshore wind turbines and approximately 5.7 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.

The role also includes responsibility for a workforce of around 650 employees and more than 500 contractors, overseeing major joint venture and regulatory relationships, and supporting the continued growth of Ørsted's UK Generation business through the commissioning of Hornsea 3.

Laing O’Rourke has appointed Clare Rodgers as business unit leader of its Expanded Geotechnical division.

Rodgers was most recently lifting solutions leader for Select – part of Laing O’Rourke - having joined the business in 2021. She is the first female business unit leader of any of Laing O’Rourke’s specialist trading businesses.

Rodgers will take responsibility for the Expanded Geotechnical business after Ronan O’Rourke was appointed director of clients and markets for Laing O’Rourke’s Europe Hub.

Turner & Townsend is making a raft of senior hires as the business bolsters its capacity in major programme delivery. Chris Enoch, Mark England and Ray Riley join to focus on the company’s work in infrastructure and defence, while Craig Taylor has been brought on board in the energy and natural resources team.

The announcements follow Steve Hudson’s appointment as director of infrastructure to lead the business’ ongoing rapid expansion across UK major programmes.  Hudson was previously executive managing director for infrastructure at Sir Robert McAlpine and has more than 30 years of expertise in delivering and helping clients set up complex programmes for success, including across government departments whilst working within HM Treasury and at HS2. 

Chris Enoch takes on the role of national service director for programme management.  Ray Riley has been appointed director and Mark England as major programme director, with both focusing on defence infrastructure.

Craig Taylor joins Turner & Townsend as sector director for conventional and low carbon energy. 

Andy Scott, managing director, infrastructure and defence, UK, Turner & Townsend, said:  “The number of billion-pound infrastructure projects is on the rise as investment is funnelled into the UK’s infrastructure, energy networks and defences to support our economic growth and national security.  From the UK’s defence estate to major water, transport, nuclear and energy programmes, clients are under pressure to move faster while managing greater complexity and increased scrutiny on affordability, supply chain capacity, resilience and long-term performance.”

AtkinsRéalis has appointed Sarah Wilkes as managing director of its Secure Government business unit for the UK and Ireland.

She joins from Frazer-Nash Consultancy, where she was managing director and a vice president within its parent company, KBR, leading a consultancy operating across the defence and energy markets. She previously spent 17 years in leadership roles at global design, engineering and consulting company Arcadis, with a record of leading organisational growth.

As MD, Wilkes will lead more than 1,000 people across the UK and Ireland, bringing together specialist expertise in defence, security, management consultancy, digital transformation, cyber resilience and secure technology solutions.

Sizewell C has announced the appointment of Jon Loveday as chief commercial officer (CCO) to strengthen the company’s executive team as construction activity in Suffolk accelerates and the project continues to grow. A chartered surveyor with extensive experience in the delivery of major infrastructure, he brings deep expertise in commercial strategy, logistics, supply chain management, operations and business transformation.

He joins the company having most recently served as d director of infrastructure at the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), where he led a team of expert advisors supporting the UK Government’s £725bn major projects portfolio.