Mace Construct rejigs leadership team and board in wake of split from consulting arm

Mace Construct is rejigging part of its leadership team and board in the wake of the decision by its parent to sell its Consult business to Goldman Sachs.

The Goldman Sachs deal, which was completed last month and is worth an estimated £850m, has seen the US bank take a 75% stake in the consulting business with the Mace brand staying at Consult.

Mace Construct, which is due to change its name under the terms of the deal, is expected to see over £100m pumped into the business in the coming months as it focuses on UK construction work.

In an update, Mace Construct said Paul Connolly, currently head of construction technical services, will take up the role of director of technology, reporting to Rob Lemming, who leads the Public, Science and Technology business unit.

Mace said Connolly will oversee Mace Construct’s data centres division, adding: “His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to a technology-driven, engineering-led approach to project delivery in one of the sector’s fastest growing markets.”

Meanwhile, the firm said Alister Grey, managing director of technology, will be leaving this summer. He has been at Mace for a decade and schemes he has worked on include its job at Battersea Power Station.

And Mace said its interiors business will be overseen by Gavin Seager, managing director of specialist services, and will deliver pure category A and B work.

Mace said: “The interiors team will focus on delivering an agile, high quality commercial fitout offer in London, strengthening integration across business units and enhancing the company’s ability to respond to market conditions with speed and precision.”

Chief executive Jason Millett added: “These changes reflect the next step in our long‑term plan to build a more resilient, focused and future‑ready Mace Construct.

“As a standalone company, we have taken the time to reset and refocus parts of our business and are sharpening our strategic direction, strengthening our leadership through internal promotions, and ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

Meanwhile, the firm said two of its non-executive directors Nina Bjornstad and John Holland Kaye are stepping step down from the Mace group board to focus on their other non-executive posts.

Mace rejigged its board at the end of 2024 with Bjornstad, a member of the board of Scandinavian airline SAS, and Holland Kaye, a former chief executive of Heathrow Airport, taking up their roles at the start of the following year.