Independent professional services consultancy Turner & Townsend has appointed Tom Deacon as global head of digital.
Leading a step change in the business, Deacon will be responsible for improving the consultancy’s core service capability through use of data and digital technologies and identifying new opportunities to support clients.
These will drive improvements in control, performance and value on projects and programmes as well as efficiency and effectiveness in asset management.
With more than 20 years’ experience, most recently leading digital innovation in infrastructure advisory at EY, one of Deacon’s early priorities will be to grow Turner & Townsend’s digital innovation capability in the infrastructure sector to improve project outcomes.
He will also be focusing on digital opportunities across real estate and natural resources, where there is also significant demand to support clients.
Previously, he was an account director at BAES Applied Intelligence, a business and technology consultancy specialising in information intelligence, where he was a member of the transport, utilities and retail financial services leadership teams.
Neil Bullen, managing director, Global Business Generation, at Turner & Townsend said: “I’m pleased to welcome on board someone of Tom’s calibre and experience to drive our digital transformation. Digital technology and use of data presents us will a real opportunity to lead in this space, given our hugely talented teams and enviable client base.
“His strategic role will be vital to help to unlock the potential for our clients to make great decisions and improve delivery performance, as well as help to inspire a culture of innovation and collaboration.”
Deacon commented: “I am delighted to be joining Turner & Townsend at such an exciting time. The potential to improve client outcomes and enhance productivity, safety and performance in the built environment is immense. Digital technologies, the data they produce and new techniques in visualisation and analytics have a huge part to play.
“My role is to lead our digital transformation, building on the excellent work done to date, and growing the business’ capability to deliver excellent outcomes in this fast-changing digital world.”
