LONDON — Balfour Beatty, one of the United Kingdom’s largest infrastructure and construction companies, has officially appointed Philip Hoare as its new group chief executive, completing a leadership transition that has been in the works since March.
Hoare, a seasoned civil engineer with more than 30 years of experience in engineering, project management, and construction, steps into the role following the departure of Leo Quinn, who has served as CEO for the past decade. Balfour Beatty confirmed the transition in a company news release on Sept. 8.
Before joining Balfour Beatty, Hoare held the role of chief operating officer at AtkinsRéalis, a Montreal-based global engineering and nuclear services business. His deep expertise in managing complex projects and driving operational growth is expected to play a key role in guiding Balfour Beatty through a rapidly evolving construction and infrastructure landscape.
“The financial and operational strengths of the Group—including market-leading capabilities in core growth markets—place us in a strong position for the future,” Hoare said in the release. “With significant opportunities ahead and a talented team in an industry that is rapidly evolving, I am energised by both the challenge and the responsibility.”
Hoare takes the reins at a pivotal time. The U.S. construction sector, where Balfour Beatty maintains a significant presence, has seen planning activity jump 51% year-over-year. This surge points to a strong pipeline of infrastructure work in 2026 and 2027. At the same time, the industry faces challenges, including fluctuating material costs and uncertainty over tariff policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Outgoing CEO Leo Quinn, who helped steer Balfour Beatty through a decade of growth and stability, expressed confidence in the company’s momentum as he exited.
“I’m very confident with the momentum in the business on the rising tide of infrastructure that we’ll be actually delivering significant shareholder returns into the future,” Quinn said during the company’s Q2 earnings call on Aug. 13, his final call as CEO.
Balfour Beatty, headquartered in London with operations across the UK and U.S., continues to play a leading role in building large-scale transportation, energy, and public infrastructure projects. With Hoare’s appointment, the company is positioning itself to capture emerging opportunities while navigating ongoing global economic pressures.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.
.webp)
