David's most recent role was Chief Executive of Wates, the UK construction, development and property services company. He stepped down in July this year after leading the business for more than four years and overseeing its highest ever annual operating profit in 2021.
David joined Wates as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary in January 2016 following almost seven years as Crossrail’s Finance Director. He joined Crossrail in 2009 from Laing O’Rourke, where he was Finance Director of its European construction business. Before entering the construction industry in 2004, David had worked for Accenture, HSBC and Arthur Andersen.
David takes up the role as Mace enters the third year of its 2026 Business Strategy, which set ambitious growth targets that will see it aim to reach £3bn of revenue by 2026 and increase operating profits by 20% year on year.
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David replaces Andrew Beck, who took on a role as interim CFO in August this year following the resignation of Richard Bienfait.
Mark Reynolds, Mace's Group Chairman and Chief Executive, said: "I am very pleased to announce that we are appointing David Allen as our new Chief Financial Officer. David has a tremendous record of achievement in the construction sector, both leading Wates – one of the most successful UK contractors – for more than four years, as well as direct experience of the delivery of complex infrastructure projects at Crossrail.
"Over the last two years we’ve seen significant growth in our revenues and our profits, and David is exactly the person we need to continue to deliver our strategy and build on our work delivering some of the globe’s most complex and challenging infrastructure programmes.”
"I would like to thank Andrew and our finance leadership team for their support as we've identified our new CFO."
David Allen, Mace's incoming Chief Financial Officer, said: "Having spent nearly two decades working in the UK built environment sector, I’m hugely excited to be joining Mace at such an important time in the company's journey. I'm looking forward to working with Mace's leadership team and colleagues around the world to build on the organisation’s record of exceptional delivery."
