ISG rings the changes as construction boss goes after less than a year in the job

ISG’s construction boss is heading out of the firm after just nine months – and barely more than a year after leaving Interserve.

Gordon Kew took over the reins at ISG’s construction business in January, as the group split the role of chief operating officer – with long-time ISG boss Paul Weaver made head of engineering services.

Months earlier, Kew left his role as UK managing director of construction at Interserve after that firm merged the role with international construction last September.

Interserve has since demerged the roles, bringing in industry veteran Paul Gandy, a former director of Kier’s major projects division and Multiplex’s UK head when it won the contract to rebuild Wembley stadium, as its new UK construction managing director last month.

Now Kew is set to leave ISG by the end of this month and is understood to have stepped back from his day-to-day operational duties.

A spokesperson for ISG said: “We can confirm that Gordon Kew will be leaving the business later this month to pursue other opportunities.”

ISG is in the final stages of appointing a new chief operating officer for construction, Building understands, with Kew’s successor expected to be named later this month.

Kew’s departure comes as the group also lost three other construction directors last month.

Andy McLinden was charged with setting up the ISG’s Scottish business in 2010 and has been managing director for Scotland and the North since 2016.

ISG is not looking for a replacement to McLinden, Building understands.

The ISG spokesperson added: “We can also confirm that Andy McLinden has taken the decision to leave ISG after nearly nine years with the business, to pursue other opportunities.”

“Earlier in 2019, Andy appointed Paul Beaton as leader of our Scotland business, and Tim Harvey continues to lead the North East business,” he added.

ISG has seen the departure of North West construction director Paul Munro, who joined the group from Carillion in June 2017, as well as regional preconstruction director Sandy Stewart.

ISG said it was “actively recruiting” for Munro’s successor.

Revenue from ISG’s construction business last year edged up 3% to £506m.

Turnover at ISG in the 12 months to December 2018 was up one third to £2.2bn while pre-tax profit tripled to £27.4m.