Liam Cummins joins McAlpine as executive director

Sir Robert McAlpine has appointed former Permasteelisa chief executive Liam Cummins as executive director for industrial and growth, Building can reveal.

Staff were told this morning by McAlpine chief executive Neil Martin that Cummins would be starting his new role at the contractor next Monday.

In an internal email seen by Building, Martin wrote: “This new business-wide role underpins our investment in growing our core sectors and will see Liam working closely with Craig Allen, managing director, Industrial, to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities within the sector.”

Cummins, who before Permasteelisa was in charge of Kier’s construction business having joined from Laing O’Rourke, will report to Martin, the email added

Martin said: “Liam will also support growth across our other sectors by developing strategic client and partner relationships, identifying new market opportunities and helping to shape the long-term direction of the business through market insight, strategic partnerships and early engagement with key programmes and investments.”

He added: “Liam is a fantastic addition to our leadership team. His breadth of experience, industry insight and strong track record will be invaluable as we continue to invest in our core sectors, deepen our client relationships and pursue new opportunities for growth.”

In the same email Cummins said he was “delighted to be joining Sir Robert McAlpine” and added: “I have always admired the company’s heritage and engineering excellence, as well as the strength of its people and teams.”

And Allen added: “We have significant ambitions for our Industrial business, alongside wider growth opportunities across our key sectors. Liam brings a wealth of experience, and industry relationships that will complement the strengths we already have across the organisation.”

Sir Robert McAlpine declined to comment.

Cummins joined Permasteelisa at the start of 2023 but last year was handed the deputy chairman’s role. In September, the firm said Seb Fossey would be its new chief executive with Cummins carrying out advisory work for Permasteelisa’s parent, US private equity firm Atlas Holdings.