Stantec has appointed Martin Dix as sector leader for advanced manufacturing, data centres and mission critical facilities in the UK.

In his new role Dix will help accelerate Stantec's growth and impact in delivering advanced industrial buildings such as large-scale battery, as well as its expertise around emerging sectors, such as semiconductors, aerospace and defence manufacturing.

Dix is currently leading Stantec’s flagship project designing the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility in Somerset for client, Agratas. He is a chartered engineer with more than 40 years’ experience, 20 with Stantec, having led the company’s buildings business since 2018.

“Our ambition is to create further sustained growth in these sectors, cementing our reputation as the go-to consultant for advanced manufacturing, mission critical and data centres,” said Martin Dix.

“We are leading the way with gigafactories through our design of the UK’s largest battery cell manufacturing facility, which is integral to supporting the UK Government’s 10-Year Modern Industrial Strategy. By integrating our regional and global expertise and empowering our teams, we are continually showing how we can deliver impactful solutions for clients and drive innovation and efficiency across the industry.”

Other new appointments across the sector include: 

Ørsted has appointed Richard Bodal Hansen as its next UK country manager, effective 1 July 2026. The appointment follows a planned succession process as current country manager Benj Sykes steps up to become UK country chair.

In his role as UK country manager Bodal Hansen will lead the UK business including being responsible for Ørsted’s regulatory and external affairs activities and championing employee engagement in the UK.

He brings more than 15 years’ experience working in the renewables sector to the role and is currently head of external affairs for Ørsted in the UK, having previously held senior roles in Ørsted’s legal, commercial and market development teams.

Sykes has spent almost four decades in the energy sector and has been with Ørsted since 2012. In that time he has also held a number of senior external roles, including chairing the Offshore Wind Industry Council, leading the work to deliver the Offshore Wind Sector Deal with the UK Government, and chairing G+, the offshore wind sector’s global health and safety organisation, during its formative years.

Richard Bodal Hansen said: “I am delighted to be stepping into this role at a pivotal moment for the offshore wind industry in the UK. Recent global events have highlighted the urgent need to increase the UK’s energy security and decrease our reliance on volatile global gas markets. Offshore wind will be a critical element of our decarbonised energy system in the coming years and the regulatory and political environment necessary to deliver this successfully continues to evolve and become increasingly complex.”

Amey has appointed four senior leaders to its restructured advisory business who will help accelerate Amey’s expansion into new markets.

James Bulleid has been appointed sector director for advisory and will be responsible for leading the business sector. He steps into the role from his previous position as business director for energy transition and sustainability. He will play a key role in establishing the advisory business more prominently at the heart of Amey’s growth ambitions.

Chris Gray, delivery director for water, environment and energy, will lead advisory’s services across these sectors. He joins Amey from AECOM, where he spent over 25 years, most recently as head of water, UK&I, Europe and India.

Gareth Podesta, delivery director for defence and public estates, will lead advisory services for defence and central government, overseeing market strategy, client relationships and portfolio growth. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in security sensitive public sector environments, including five years at Deloitte Consulting advising senior government and defence technology leaders, alongside senior roles at Deloitte, BAE Systems and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tom Kinnear, delivery director for transport, will lead Amey’s transport advisory services across highways, rail, aviation and ports.

Barhale has appointed Nick Curtis as northern regional director, completing the final stage of a wider regional restructure designed to meet future operational requirements and strengthen business resilience.

The changes align Barhale’s regional operations with major clients’ operating footprints and follow earlier organisational announcements made in 2025.

As part of Curtis' planned career progression, he steps into the role following the promotion of James Ingamells to Chief Operating Officer.

He originally joined Barhale in 2011 as an engineer/sub agent. After working as a site agent at J Breheny between 2013 and 2016, he rejoined the business in 2016 as project manager, progressing to contracts manager in 2021 and was promoted to regional manager for the Northern region in 2023.

His project experience includes major infrastructure and development schemes such as utility diversions at Battersea Power Station, infrastructure works on Crossrail, pipeline installation works for residential developments and drainage and highways schemes across Yorkshire and the Midlands.

As part of the restructure, Nathan Hutchinson has been appointed framework manager and will support Curtis in managing key client relationships across the region.