Costain has appointed Rohan O’Grady to lead Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, which is delivering HS2’s London tunnels.
As managing director of SCS JV, O’Grady will be responsible for leading the project during a critical phase of the programme.
With more than 20 years’ experience in complex engineering, project execution, alliance delivery and executive leadership, he has expertise in building and leading high-performing teams across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, energy and mining.
O’Grady joins Costain from CPB Contractors, the construction and infrastructure arm of Australian-based CIMIC Group, specialising in complex, large-scale, and critical infrastructure projects. During the past four years he was alliance director for the NEWest Alliance, a partnership of engineering and construction companies responsible for delivering A$2.9bn (€1.79bn) of critical upgrades to Perth’s METRONET passenger railway, including the 17.5km Thornlie-Cockburn Link project and the 14.5km Yanchep Rail Extension.
He was previously chief operating officer at Mineral Resources Ltd and BGC Contracting. He also spent 13 years at Leighton Contractors, where he was project director on its Gorgon project for Chevron, one of the world’s largest LNG projects and the largest single resource project in Australia’s history.
“With his enviable CV and a successful track record at delivering large-scale mega-projects for both the public and private sectors, Rohan will be an excellent addition to Costain and is perfectly placed to lead the fantastic team working as part of the SCS joint venture,” said Jonathan Willcock, Costain’s managing director, transportation.
“Under his leadership, HS2’s London tunnels will continue to be delivered safely and efficiently, which will be critical for the new high-speed railway that will add capacity to the network and drive UK prosperity for generations to come.”
O’Grady said he was proud to be taking on the SCS JV leadership at such an important stage in the delivery of HS2.
“This is a project of enormous national significance, and I’m looking forward to working with the world-class expertise and talent that runs throughout the SCS JV to maintain momentum, ensure safety and build on the strong foundations that are already in place,” he said.
