FM Conway executive group chair Joanne Conway has left the company after its sale to Vinci completed.
Her exit brings to an end a 22-year career at the Kent-headquartered highways specialist, and ushers in a new era for the business founded by her grandfather Frank in 1961.
The latest announcement has further reduced female top-level boardroom representation in the construction sector. Two months ago, Bouygues UK announced the departure of Fabienne Viala as chief executive.
French construction giant Vinci formally took over FM Conway on Friday 31 January after a share-purchase agreement was signed last October.
The value of the deal remains undisclosed.
Andrew Hansen, who has been with FM Conway since 1998 and was appointed as chief executive last year, is now managing director of the business.
He previously spent 13 years as the firm’s chief operating officer.
Also now a member of Vinci Construction UK’s executive committee, Hanson has been charged with overseeing the “next phase of FM Conway’s evolution”, according to a statement from the company.
Mark Goldsworthy will remain as FM Conway’s chief financial officer. The firm will operate independently but benefit from group resources.
Vinci Construction UK chief executive Scott Wardrop will join the FM Conway board, as will Vinci Construction finance director Xavier Lansade.
FM Conway recorded an 8 per cent increase in turnover to £579.8m for the year ending 31 March 2024, while its pre-tax profit almost doubled to £29.4m.
Employing more than 2,000 people, the firm delivers essential maintenance and construction services across transport, the built environment and the public realm.
Vinci Construction UK posted turnover of £2.29bn for the 2023 calendar year in its most recent accounts. This marked an increase from the previous year’s £1.76bn but its pre-tax loss deepened from £5.1m to £6.4m.
Hansen said he expects FM Conway to benefit from “the additional firepower of Vinci Construction”.
Wardrop added that the acquisition “strengthens our capability” by broadening Vinci’s knowledge of its supply chain.
Both firms featured in the latest annual CN100 index of top contractors, with Vinci in 8th place and FM Conway 37th.
