Mace Construct veteran to step down next year after three decades at contractor

Mace Construct director Nigel Cole is set to leave the business next year, Building can reveal.

The head of the contractor’s infrastructure and aviation business unit is the latest high-profile name to be leaving – with chief executive Jason Millett going at the end of the year and chief financial officer David Allan set to go next month.

Cole, who is also a member of the Mace strategic board, joined the firm in 1996 and has remained within its infrastructure business ever since, working for clients such as BAA, British Airways and Birmingham International Airport.

Notable jobs he has worked on include the T5 scheme at Heathrow and the refurbishment of the same airport’s Terminal 3.

Mace Construct group executive chairman Mark Reynolds said: “After more than 30 years with Mace Construct, Nigel Cole will retire in early 2027. He has made an exceptional contribution to our business, our clients and the wider industry, and while we will be sorry to see him leave, this is a fantastic opportunity for someone new to take our infrastructure offering forward.

“Nigel will continue to lead the business throughout a lengthy transition period, providing continuity for our people, clients and partners and supporting a comprehensive handover process. We will announce his successor in due course.”

Cole added: “I have decided that 2027 will be the right time for me to retire. It has been a privilege to help build this business and to work alongside so many talented colleagues, clients and partners throughout that journey.

“I remain fully committed to leading the division throughout the transition period to ensure a gradual and seamless handover. The business is well positioned for the future, and I am confident that the next leader will take forward a strong platform from which to continue growing and building on our success.”

The news comes as Mace gets ready to release its group results for 2025 later this month – the last ones to include numbers of both Construct and Mace Consult after the latter was bought by Goldman Sachs earlier this year.

Construct, which is also set to get a new name, is expected to post turnover of around £2.3bn for 2025, although it is set to drop to around £1.9bn this year. Reynolds told Building in the summer, the number is expected to climb back up to £2.6bn in 2028 after a flat 2027.

Construct is due to move into a new office near Liverpool Street over Christmas with Consult moving out of the firm’s 155 Moorgate home of the past 14 years for a new base at the top of Southwark Bridge.