Kier promotes former trainee to chief people officer

A former trainee engineer has been appointed as Kier’s new chief people officer.

Louisa Finlay (pictured) will take up the role from 6 March, more than 30 years since she joined Kier.

Finlay initially joined the contractor as a trainee engineer on a sandwich degree, and has worked at the business ever since.

She is currently Kier Construction’s managing director for clients and markets, and was previously managing director of Kier’s southern construction business.

Finlay is a trustee at the Construction Industry Training Board and a member of Build UK, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Construction and Property Industry Mentoring Circle.

Finlay replaces Helen Redfern, who is leaving the firm after 10 years to take up a role outside the construction sector.

Kier chief executive Andrew Davies said: “Louisa’s wealth of experience in Kier and the wider construction sector, as well as her commitment to building excellence across all aspects of the people, health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability agendas, mean she is well-placed to lead our people function and drive progress across these vital strategic areas.”

Finlay’s appointment comes hot on the heels of Lee Sturdy starting at the firm, after he joined from John Sisk as the firm’s new science and technology director earlier this month.

Kier announced at the time that it is looking to grow its involvement in the science and technology sector.