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Kier appoints new head of construction business
Nadine Buddoo CM People Editor
After 17 years at Laing O’Rourke, Martin Staehr will join Kier as group managing director for its construction division. Image: Kier
Kier has appointed Martin Staehr as group managing director for its construction division.
Staehr will sit on the group’s executive committee and be responsible for the Regional Build, Strategic Projects, Kier Places and KME businesses.
Staehr will officially join Kier in January 2026, when he will oversee an order book of £4.5 billion, and a division that has around 200 live projects across England, Scotland and Wales.
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The chartered civil engineer and fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers has spent the last 17 years at Laing O’Rourke, most recently on its European hub executive committee as one of its delivery directors.
He has experience across MEP manufacturing facilities, as well as delivery of regional buildings and major projects in the justice, defence, health, science and education sectors.
“Kier has a rich history of innovation and collaboration within the UK construction industry, which I know first-hand working with the team which delivered HMP Five Wells,” Staehr said.
“With a strong pipeline of work, pioneering projects and fantastic people, I believe it’s an exciting time to be joining Kier and leading the construction business in its next chapter.”
Current group managing director for construction and CEO designate, Stuart Togwell, will become CEO of Kier Group from 1 November. James Askew, the construction division’s commercial director, will be interim group managing director of construction until January 2026.
Commenting on Staehr’s appointment, Togwell said: “Martin brings fresh thinking and a drive to make a meaningful difference within the construction industry, and I am delighted he is joining us.
“Our construction business has a strong order book and pipeline of work and, with government spending commitments, we have further opportunities for growth in our chosen sectors and through our integrated 360 approach. I am looking forward to working with Martin to drive forward our ambitions.”
The CM March 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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