WSP drives forward transport and infrastructure team with trio of directors

WSP is welcoming on board three new directors as the firm prepares to deliver an ever-increasing pipeline of rail and highways contracts.

The 2,500-strong transport and infrastructure business is in the midst of a recruitment drive which is looking add expertise to ensure the company is in the best place to successfully manage contracts in the public and private sector.

One such contract awarded to WSP recently is by Highways England who have requested WSP for a technical study to strengthen the strategic and economic argument for a package of transport schemes, including a part-tunnel, part-surface route across the Pennines.

The first of the appointments is Andrew Dodds who has been appointed to WSP’s rail team as deputy group director of Rail Engineering Services for the south of the UK. He joins from Network Rail and brings over 27 years of experience in the industry. 

Based in Birmingham, he will draw on his expertise to drive business excellence and build engineering resilience across the rail team. His contribution will help the business secure new opportunities and continue delivering successfully on key projects like HS2’s Birmingham Curzon Street Station and Old Oak Common Station.

Commenting on his new role, Dodds said: “It’s an exciting time to join WSP as they have a remarkable track-record for delivering some of the UK’s largest rail projects. Working closely with colleagues across the business, I will support the delivery of WSP’s rail strategy by growing capability, strengthening client and contractor relationships and developing opportunities as more projects in the UK’s infrastructure pipeline kick-off.”

Steve Burrows will be his northern counterpart and in the same role overseeing Rail Engineering Services, in the north of the UK. He comes to WSP with more than 20 years of experience in the industry working on the design and build of successful projects across the UK, Australia and Singapore. 

Based in Manchester, he will be focused on creating a more dynamic business environment, enhancing WSP’s service offerings and growing the consultancy’s international project pipeline.

“WSP has one of the largest consultancy transport teams in the UK,” Burrows said. “I look forward to joining a business that is collaborating with major contractors and architects on iconic rail projects in the UK and across the globe.”

Finally, Iain Salisbury has been named WSP design and build director in the highways team based in Glasgow. He brings a wealth of experience with more than 30-years of industry experience and joins from CH2M (now Jacobs), where he worked as a project director delivering schemes such as the 58km bypass for Aberdeen and a section of the M60 widening in Manchester.

Salisbury added: “I wanted to join WSP because it is a future thinking company with a transport and infrastructure team that is delivering major projects across the UK and Ireland, including a growing number of design and build schemes. In addition to its developing design and build portfolio, WSP is launching a new local authority discipline to its transport and infrastructure strategic business unit. I will be able to contribute to a wide range of strategic projects, delivering a safe, efficient and sustainable road network for future generations.”