Ex-Bovis boss John Anderson FCIOB takes charge at Byrne Group

John Anderson FCIOB OBE, the former managing director of Bovis Construction and subsequently Bovis Lend Lease Europe, has been appointed managing director of Byrne Group.

Anderson will assume overall operational responsibility for the activities of all of the Byrne Group companies, including concrete formwork division Byrne Bros, fit-out specialist Chorus and general building contractor Ellmer Construction.

He will report directly to Byrne Group chief executive Michael Byrne.

Anderson replaces Tony Dowle as managing director of the group. Dowle has been in the role of managing director since the sudden death of the company’s co-founder Patsy Byrne in 2013.

Anderson’s appointment will allow Dowle to concentrate exclusively on his role as group commercial director on the Byrne Group board.

John Anderson: “wealth of experience”

Since leaving Bovis Lend Lease Europe in 2000, Anderson has held positions at developers Land Securities and Chelsfield, and acted as client on a number of high-profile developments. 

In 2006, he advised Parkview International, the Hong Kong-based developer that was positioned to develop Battersea Power Station.

In 2010 he received an OBE in recognition of his contribution to the renovation of St Martin-in-the Fields, London. He was chairman of the St Martin-in-the Fields Building Renewal Project, which oversaw the £36m restoration of the landmark church in Trafalgar Square and the provision of new facilities for the homeless in its area.

He also served as chairman of the project board which oversaw the new Sammy Ofer Wing at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, which opened in 2011.

It is understood that Anderson has come to Byrne Group after becoming familiar with the company through his client-side roles.

Michael Byrne, chief executive, said: “John brings a wealth of experience in managing major construction businesses. His strategic and operational insight, drive and determination will further enhance the company’s management team and support the Group’s development.”

Anderson’s appointment also follows the recruitment of Daren Harris, who worked for four years at N G Bailey and joined Byrne Group as finance director in December.

The new appointments come after a financially difficult time for Byrne Group, which in 2015 reported its first ever pre-tax loss. At the time the company said that the £12.1m loss, for the year to May 2014, was due to “significant delays” on the Sea Containers House hotel and office development where Chorus was carrying out the fit-out. The company also “encountered significant difficulties” at a residential development in Westminster Buckingham Gate.

However, the group says it is through this difficult time and reports a forward order book of more than £300m. It is involved in the construction of many high-profile central London contracts including the Bloomberg HQ in the City of London, the redevelopment of the BBC White City and the Christian Dior flagship store on New Bond Street.