A ‘big beast’ of retail and politics has joined the board of an infrastructure group to support business change.

It was one of three updates for a part of the construction sector that is gearing up for the government’s drive to deliver more civils projects.

Norman conquest

M Group Services has revealed Archie Norman has become its new non-executive chairman.

His high-profile career includes being the chief executive and chairman of Asda and a former chair of Marks and Spencer. Norman is also a former director with Railtrack.

His political career included spells as shadow secretary of state for the environment and deputy chair of the Conservative Party.

Norman was the lead non-executive board member at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for four years, until 2020.

M Group was ranked tenth in the CN100 with a turnover of £1.9bn and a pre-tax profit of £79.3m.

The firm’s chief executive, Andrew Findlay, said Norman would help deliver “at the pace of change needed” to support essential infrastructure. Findlay also highlighted his track record “in business change and value creation”.

Heath to pastures new

The National Infrastructure Commission’s chief executive is moving on ahead of its merger.

James Heath is stepping down in March 2025 after nearly five years in post to become a consultant at investment advisory firm Flint Global.

He was previously director of digital infrastructure at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The move was prompted by the government’s announcement in September that it will merge the NIC with the Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA).

NIC chair Sir John Armitt said Heath had been a major influence on production of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy.

Material world

Infrastructure materials specialist CRH has appointed Daniel Jackson as senior business development manager.

Jackson has extensive experience in the transport and water sectors. His previous role was also senior business development manager at Farrans Construction.

Justin time

The founder and CEO of consultancy Adair has taken over as the 143rd president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

He is taking over from Tina Paillet and will be focusing on finding ways to tackle the skills shortage in the industry.

Sullivan said: “Demand for built environment professionals of all specialisms is white hot, and opportunities for the next generation are profound. The UK faces many challenges – we need to build more homes, but face skills shortages which threaten to derail these plans.”