Mace, the global delivery consultant and construction expert, has appointed the final independent non-executives who will join its new Group Board.
From 1 January 2025, former Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye and Sylvia Metayer, former Chief Growth Officer at Sodexo, will join the new Group Board as non-executive directors as the company looks to expand across its four hubs – UK & Europe, Middle East & Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific, working on projects like Hudson Tunnel in New York and King Salman International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Providing a full spectrum of experience and skills, the non-executive directors also joining from the new year include Dame Alison Nimmo DBE, previously CEO of the Crown Estate; Nina Bjornstad, who has worked for Google and Microsoft and PwC UK Advisory; Eric Hageman, Chief Financial Officer of Swedish telecommunications company Telia; and John Coghlan, currently a director of Landmark.
Completing the board will be Mark Reynolds in his role of Executive Chair, Jason Millett as the new Group Chief Executive and David Allen, Mace Group’s Chief Financial Officer.
After 12 years as Group Chief Executive and two years as both Group Chairman and Chief Executive, Mark Reynolds is passing the day-to-day running of Mace Group to Jason from 1 January 2025. Mark will remain as Mace’s Executive Chairman.
Jason steps into the Group Chief Executive role having spent the last year as Group Deputy CEO, and he has also been holding the recent post of interim CEO for the Construct engine.
Previously, as CEO of Consult, he has spearheaded the engine’s ambitious growth strategy across the globe, working with clients and governments in response to demand for new infrastructure and property.
Through his role at Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye has been a client to Mace and is currently serving as a non-executive director at Thames Water. He has extensive expertise in leading major infrastructure projects, and as CEO of Heathrow led its transformation to being one of the world’s leading airports. He has also held senior roles at Taylor Wimpey.
Sylvia Metayer is an experienced non-executive director and committee chair who currently sits on the boards of companies including Groupe des Aéroports de Paris and Keolis.
Her most recent executive role was Chief Growth Officer at Sodexo, the global leader in food and facilities management, and before that she served as CEO of Sodexo’s Worldwide Corporate Services, where she led its largest business unit employing more than 120,000 people in 60 countries. Having previously held roles at Mattel, Danone and Arthur Andersen, she has a deep understanding of international markets, organisational performance and corporate sustainability.
The introduction of the Mace Group Board and its new governance structure will align the Group with the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code.
Mark Reynolds, Mace Group Chair and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The appointments of John and Sylvia represent the final step in the establishment of our new Group Board, meaning Mace has access to the independent challenge and expertise it needs to realise the scale of our ambitions.
“John’s knowledge of major infrastructure and Sylvia’s significant experience in global corporate service provision will be invaluable as the business pursues its aim to be the world’s leading programme and project delivery consultant and construction expert – and with Jason taking over as our Group Chief Executive in January I couldn’t be more confident of our success.”
Commenting on his appointment, John Holland-Kaye said: “The UK, and countries across the globe, are seeking to promote growth by attracting fresh investment to deliver major infrastructure, meaning the efficient delivery of major construction programmes is more important than ever before.
“This is why, at this integral time for the company and the wider industry, I’m especially proud to be taking up this new non-executive role at Mace.”
Remarking on her appointment, Sylvia Metayer, said: “With Mace expanding into new markets, it’s an integral time for the business, and I look forward to working with Mark, Jason and the rest of the board as part of the new governance structure as the business pursues solutions in the built environment to a more sustainable world so communities can thrive for generations to come.”
