Exclusive: Contractor appoints new managing director of infrastructure as it explores move into civils market

Terry O'Connor - Wates

Contractor Wates has appointed a new managing director to draw up a strategy that could see the firm enter into the infrastructure market.

Wates does not currently have a presence in infrastructure, but has now appointed Terry O鈥機onnor to a new role of managing director of infrastructure.

O鈥機onnor was previously regional managing director at Alfred McAlpine Civil Engineering, where he broadened the firm鈥檚 focus from highways to rail, water, and civil engineering.

O鈥機onnor has also held senior roles at Miller Group.

Wates said the appointment did not necessarily mean the firm would enter into the infrastructure market, as O鈥機onnor鈥檚 role it this stage was strategic.

In a statement, Wates said the new role 鈥渟ignifies and supports the company鈥檚 growth aspirations and continuing drive to identifying new and adjacent markets鈥.

鈥淥鈥機onnor will be responsible for developing an overarching strategy to formulate a business proposition that operates in different business cycles to Wates main business.鈥