Turner & Townsend appoint new managing director for UK infrastructure business

Turner & Townsend has appointed David Whysall as managing director of its UK Infrastructure business.

Whysall has been with the firm for 14 years since joining as a graduate in 2004. During that time, he has designed and implemented commercial strategies, assurance functions and managed major programme delivery teams for some of the most high-profile capital investment programmes in the UK, including Heathrow Airport’s transformation, Anglian Water, High Speed 2 and Crossrail. He was previously head of Turner & Townsend’s 500-strong infrastructure south team and a member of the UK board.

He will report to Turner & Townsend UK managing director and executive board member Patricia Moore and manage a team of 900 people across the UK and Ireland. The infrastructure business covers the transport, power, utilities and defence sectors and has grown by 20% year over the past three years with turnover reaching £100m in 2017/18.

Patricia Moore, Turner & Townsend UK managing director, commented: “Over 14 years with Turner & Townsend, David has already made a significant impact in shaping the future of our business.  He has always worked to ensure we look to the future. David is respected in the industry not only for his ability to solve complex problems but as a progressive thinker and champion of a better infrastructure sector. I am delighted that he is taking on the role of UK Infrastructure MD at a very exciting time for our business.”

Commenting on his new role, Whysall said: “We’re at an important moment for infrastructure in the UK, with a £600bn investment pipeline and real opportunities to advance our industry. Great infrastructure will be critical to the UK’s future prosperity and if planned, delivered and operated effectively it will change the way our society lives and functions for the better. 

“Our UK infrastructure team is delivering exceptional results for some of the most progressive organisations and impressive capital programmes in the UK. I’m proud to lead them as we continue to grow, develop and remain at the heart of the UK’s infrastructure transformation.”

Whysall is also co-chair of the industry improvement organisation Constructing Excellence, which aims to positively disrupt the UK construction sector and as part of its junior arm as the chair of Generation 4 Change (G4C), he was a member of the core group who produced the industry report Never Waste a Good Crisis in 2010 (10 years since Egan review). Whysall was also part of the government’s 2050 task group to advise on a transition to a low carbon future economy.