Willmott Dixon has promoted Rick Willmott, from his current role as group chief executive, to become the company's new executive chairman.

Chief financial officer Graham Dundas has also been promoted to chief executive.

The company's main board will also include two new additions, with Roger Forsdyke, chief operating officer (COO) for Willmott Dixon Interiors, and Chris Tredget, COO for Fortem – the company’s repairs and maintenance company – also joining from the start of January.

Both Roger and Chris join a main board that, along with Rick and Graham, comprises of John Waterman, COO for Willmott Dixon Construction, Hugh Raven, general counsel, Wendy McWilliams, company secretary, Julia Barrett, chief sustainability officer, plus Julia Hirigoyen and Juliette Stacey as non-executive directors.


Graham's promotion to chief executive provides ongoing continuity as he has over 25 years' service with Willmott Dixon, which he joined as a management trainee in 1998. He went on to be named Willmott Dixon's Trainee of the Year in 2000 and has held a series of key positions during his time at the company. He joined the main board in 2018 and has played a major role in the company's development over the past five years as CFO.

Mr Willmott said: "Firstly, I want to take this opportunity to thank Colin for his enormous contribution over almost four decades with our company. Colin's leadership, dedication and acumen has been more than instrumental in shaping the company we are today, and I am immensely grateful for his support as a main board colleague of thirty years.

"Looking to the future, I’m delighted that Graham’s progression through our company has now seen him promoted to chief executive and I look forward to working with him in our new roles. With the addition of Chris and Roger to the main board, it strengthens our senior leadership team across the full range of our services in the built environment, and further supports our ability to help customers achieve their long-term growth priorities.

"As we start 2024, our new-look main board reflects our ambition for continued growth while maintaining important continuity, stability and cultural consistency. It also reflects our ethos of promoting from within where possible."