Kier has strengthened its digital and data leadership with three key appointments.
Nick Barnes and Ron Chambers have joined the business as head of data and analytics and IT director, respectively, while Hannah McIlroy, who has worked at Kier for more than 12 years, has become the new group data director.
Barnes leads the execution of Kier’s group-wide data strategy and the evolution of its Azure-based data platform to ensure it is scalable and delivering measurable value. His role will also see him lead on improving data literacy across the organisation, as well as progressing Kier’s adoption of AI and advanced analytics. He joins from the VPS Group, where he was group head of data and business intelligence for nearly five years.
Chambers has returned to Kier after almost five years at the University of Cambridge. His previous role at Kier was head of systems. His new role gives him overall responsibility for the strategic delivery and operation of the company’s core enterprise platforms across HR, finance, payroll and data.
He will also play a leading part in driving Kier’s attitude to data transformation and AI, working closely with the senior leadership team to drive the safe implementation of emerging technologies.
Digital ambition
McIlroy has played a key role in upgrades to Kier’s customer relationship management system, as well as leading on sustainability reporting and engagement initiatives across Kier’s projects in the environment, energy and water sectors. She will bring together this experience to support a project-first approach, where innovation and ideas are taken from the business and scaled.
Kier’s ambition is to embed digital ways of working across every function and project by 2028.
Louisa Finlay, chief operating officer at Kier, said: “A focus on our digital and data capabilities is central to our plans for the coming year and beyond, and these appointments put us in a strong position to deliver on our extensive ambitions in this area.”
