Movers and Shakers: The big personnel news from early 2026
The first quarter of 2026 saw big names making moves in the East of England construction industry. Here, in our latest instalment of Movers and Shakers, we take a look at some of the headline acquisitions and promotions from the start of the year.
New CEOs for DPL Group
Ipswich mechanical and electrical contractor DPL Group appointed two long-serving employees as its new CEOs following the departure of company founders Fran and Gary Dinsdale.
Fran and Gary announced their retirement after 25 successful years in charge of the business, which expanded into multiple sectors under their leadership – including design and build, facilities maintenance and fire and security.
James Bond and Vincent Langley, who had previously served as Managing Directors, have been appointed their successors.
Fran said: We are incredibly proud of how DPL has grown into one of the largest privately- owned, family M&E companies in East Anglia, supported by an exceptional workforce.
“We are immensely proud of our CEOs, James Bond and Vincent Langley, who are also shareholders and will now be leading the business forward.
Gary added: “We have an amazing team in place and are confident they will continue to grow the business from strength to strength.”
Duo named Partners at Ingleton Wood
Max Chapman and Wesley Henderson were among 11 employees at Ingleton Wood to have been promoted in early 2026 – with the duo appointed Partners at the firm.
Between them the pair boast more than 30 years with the design and construction consultancy practice, having joined in 2007 and 2012 respectively.
Max said: “My journey has been shaped by the people around me; teams built, challenges shared, and successes earned together. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and excited for what we can continue to build.”
Wesley added: “The practice was small enough when I joined that I could almost name everyone; and although we’ve grown significantly, the way we work and our relationships have remained the same. I feel proud to have been part of that journey and look forward to what the future brings.”
David Cresswell, Managing Partner at Ingleton Wood, added: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Wes and Max to the partnership.
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and I’m excited to see the lasting impact they will have as we continue to grow and innovate.”
Pair promoted after Superstructures merger
Two directors at Ipswich-based structural and civil engineering practice Superstructures have new titles after the business merged with Canadian giants the Zenon Group.
James Potter and Mark Hayward, who had previously served as Managing Director and Director respectively, have now been appointed as the group’s UK Managing Director and UK Director of Structural and Civil Engineering.
Both have also become shareholders in the Zenon Group as the business looks to grow across the country from its Ipswich head office.
Conrad Schartau, the Suffolk-born CEO of the Canadian firm, said: “This merger marks a significant milestone for both organisations.
“By combining forces, the group now provides a more comprehensive suite of engineering services, creating a unique competitive edge through integrated expertise and a focus on high-quality delivery, as well as positioning us to expand our operational capability in the UK.”
James added: “Mark and I becoming shareholders means we are directly tied to Zenon’s success, ensuring that Superstructures has a massive stake in where this group goes next.”
Will Robinson
Will Robinson marked his 25th year with contractor R G Carter by earning a promotion to Director and General Manager of the firm’s Cambridge operating company.
Having first joined as an apprentice bricklayer in 2001, Will has worked on numerous high-profile projects, including the prestigious restoration of Bodley’s Court at King’s College Cambridge and the construction of the Kitchen Gardens at the Wellcome Genome Campus.
Will said: “I never set out with a plan to progress; I just focused on doing a good job and supporting my teams, and the opportunities naturally followed.
“Starting on an apprenticeship at R G Carter was ideal as it gave me the chance to learn from my mentors around me but also how to stand on my own two feet.”
Ian Gifford, Managing Director of R G Carter, added: “Will has consistently shown a rare blend of technical expertise and strong people skills, always bringing positivity to his teams.
“His knowledge and enthusiasm make this an exciting time both for the Cambridge business and for Will personally.”
Matthew Goakes
Experienced housing specialist Matthew Goakes has been appointed Regional Managing Director of Lovell after his predecessor was promoted to a national role within the business.
Matthew’s promotion comes after 12 years with the firm, having first joined as a Commercial Manager in 2014 before later progressing to two director-level posts.
His predecessor, Simon Medler, has been appointed as Operations and Customer Experience Director at the national level.
Matthew said: “This is a proud moment for me. I have been able to grow my career at Lovell because the business believes in giving people the chance to progress and take on new challenges.
“I look forward to leading the region and continuing the strong partnership approach that has been such an important part of our ethos.”
David Gough, Managing Director of Operations and Commercial, added: “These appointments show the strength of our people and the opportunities available for those who want to grow their careers with us.”
Sophie Bennett
Essex-based construction law specialists Holmes & Hills strengthened its offering with the arrival of experienced Associate Sophie Bennett.
Sophie joined the firm in January, bringing with her extensive experience in non-contentious construction law.
On her arrival, she said: “Holmes & Hills already has excellent Planning, Land & Development and Commercial Property teams.
“A big part of what I do is to sit between those departments and the Construction team, making sure clients receive joined-up advice throughout the life of a project.”
Lawrence Pearce, Partner and Co-Head of Construction at Holmes & Hills, added: “Sophie’s appointment is a key part of our long-term strategy to build a genuinely full-service construction offering.
“Her expertise also strengthens our collaboration with our Planning, Land & Development and Commercial Property teams, meaning we can now support clients seamlessly from site acquisition through to project delivery.”
Alexandra Smith
Allison Homes is looking to grow and expand its land acquisition and development activity with the hiring of Alexandra Smith as Group Legal Counsel.
The new role sees Alexandra – who boasts more than 20 years’ in the property industry – provide strategic guidance, lead on land transactions and support regional teams with negotiations.
She said: “In‑house roles like this don’t come along often, so I feel very fortunate to have joined Allison Homes at such an exciting time.
“My priority is to build trust with colleagues across the business, make land deals run as smoothly as possible, and ensure we’re consistent, clear and confident in everything we do.”
Deborah Brown, Group General Counsel at Allison Homes, added: “Alex’s appointment is an important step in strengthening our group functions.
“She brings outstanding expertise and deep sector knowledge, which will help us maintain momentum as we deliver our ambitious growth and land acquisition programme. Alex’s practical approach and energy make her a fantastic addition to the team, and we’re delighted to have her.”
Movers and Shakers is a feature series brought to you by Construction Anglia every quarter. If you have a story you would like to share for our next instalment, send in your submissions to news@constructionanglia.com.
