WSP PB UK leadership restructure sees Mark Naysmith as UK chief operating officer

Mark Naysmith has been announced as UK chief operating officer for the newly combined WSP and Parsons Brinkerhoff company formed following last October’s £820M take-over deal.

Antony Oliver
26 February 2015

Twitter FacebookLinkedIn

Print

Topics 

Business

The former UK managing director of WSP will also be responsible for firm’s UK property, transportation and infrastructure business in a restructure of the 32,000 strong global business and its 5,150 combined staff in the UK.

“It is a truly complementary merger of minds and talent, at a very busy time and in a rising economy." Mark Naysmith

“We have a very exciting future ahead, with huge potential for growth in our markets and services as well as for our people,” said Naysmith. 

“We are already seeing some of the benefits of our new status in the industry,” he added. “It is a truly complementary merger of minds and talent, at a very busy time and in a rising economy. I have every confidence we are now putting together the final plans of what will be one of the UK’s most eminent consultancies.”

No new name has yet been agreed for the combined WSP and Parsons Brinckerhoff which is based in more than 500 offices across 39 countries globally.

The senior UK leadership reorganisation also sees Ian Maclean, former managing director of Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa, become UK managing director for energy and industry in a role that brings together the former WSP industrial engineering discipline as well as Parsons Brinckerhoff’s power and energy arm. 

Steve Reffitt, former chief operating officer of Parsons Brinckerhoff Europe, is appointed as integration director for the businesses in the UK, the Middle East and Africa. 

Commenting on his new role Maclean said: “I am extremely excited to be leading this well respected capability in our industry and am looking forward to bringing to the table my wealth of experience in the industry, particularly in power. 

He added: “As we move forward my focus will be on working with Mark to maximise our combined strength to create a company that will be the envy of our competitors.”

Naysmith has worked at WSP for 26 years and joined WSP following the acquisition of Kenchington Little & Partners in the early 90s. 

In 2014 he was awarded the ACE European Chief Executive of the Year award for his achievements particularly relating to his leadership and focus throughout the recession.

See Infrastructure Intelligence's November 2014 interview with Mark Naysmith here