Kier has appointed Jamie McKechnie as managing director of Kier Places, its housing maintenance and facilities management business.

Jamie will take up his new role from 3rd April following the departure of Mark Whittaker who is leaving Kier to take up a role elsewhere in the industry.

Kier is currently involved in a number of major construction projects in Gloucestershire, including the A417 'Missing Link' and The Forum development in Gloucester city centre.

Jamie joined Kier three years ago as group procurement director and, in this time, has transformed Kier's approach to supply chain management, introduced new sustainable technologies such as Flywheel and battery storage units and played a leading role in securing Kier's real living wage accreditation.

Prior to joining Kier, Jamie held a number of senior leadership roles in his 25 years in the construction industry including housing maintenance, operational delivery and procurement for organisations such as Wates and Rok.

Stuart Togwell, group managing director at Kier Construction, said: "The housing maintenance and facilities management sectors are vitally important to Kier, complementing both our regional build business and our strategic central and local government client base.

"Kier Places is at an exciting period in its ongoing evolution, and I am delighted that we have been able to fill the role internally and that Jamie has accepted the role of managing director.

"With his track record of transformational leadership and his commitment to developing individuals and teams to deliver new solutions for clients, he is well placed to drive innovation and growth in this important sector.

"I would like to thank Mark Whittaker for his excellent leadership of Kier Places over the last few years and wish him the best for the future."

Jamie McKechnie said: "Kier Places is a fantastic business and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to further develop my career with Kier, drawing upon my experience in the maintenance services and construction sectors to deliver an exemplary service for customers.

"I'm excited to start working with the Places leadership team to build upon the great work which has already been done."

Kier Places has enjoyed a number of recent contract award successes including appointment to the Crown Commercial Service's (CCS) £35bn Facilities Management and Workplace Services Framework.