Kier boosts data and digital leadership to meet 2028 target of full adoption

The three appointments are: Nick Barnes, head of data and analytics; Ron Chambers, IT director; and Hannah McIlroy, data director.

Barnes leads the execution of Kier’s group-wide data strategy and the evolution of its Azure-based data platform to ensure it is scalable and delivering measurable value. His role will also see him lead on improving data literacy across the organisation, as well as progressing Kier’s adoption of AI and advanced analytics. He joins from the VPS Group, where he was group head of data and business intelligence for nearly five years.

Chambers has returned to Kier after almost five years at the University of Cambridge. His previous role at Kier was head of systems. His new role gives him overall responsibility for the strategic delivery and operation of the company’s core enterprise platforms across HR, finance, payroll and data.

He will also play a leading part in driving Kier’s attitude to data transformation and AI, working closely with the senior leadership team to drive the safe implementation of emerging technologies.

McIlroy has worked at Kier for more than 12 years and has played a key role in upgrades to Kier’s customer relationship management system, as well as leading on sustainability reporting and engagement initiatives across Kier’s projects in the environment, energy and water sectors. She will bring together this experience to support a project-first approach, where innovation and ideas are taken from the business and scaled.

The three appointments reflect Kier’s ambition to embed digital ways of working across every function and project by 2028.