Meet our Leaders and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence

Andrew McNaughton, FREng, CEng, FICE

Executive Director, Capital programme – AWE Plc

Andrew has 40 years’ experience of delivering major infrastructure in the UK and overseas.  As both a project manager and an executive officer he has been responsible for the delivery of many of the country’s major infrastructure projects over that time.

Andrew has been a Partner at Aczel since November 2020. Aczel is a consultancy specialising in strategic change management and complex project delivery across multiple sectors.

 

From June 2016 Andrew served as Chief Operating Officer of the Systra Group, a French headquartered company with 7000 staff, globally, specialising in transport engineering and consultancy services. Andrew was previously Director of Engineering and Construction for Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc.

Prior to his appointment at Tidal Lagoon, Andrew was the Chief Executive Officer of Balfour Beatty plc. He held a range of executive positions in his 17 years at Balfour Beatty, including Chief Operating Officer and latterly Chief Executive Officer. From graduation he initially spent 12 years with the Kier Group, a period that included his involvement in the construction of Sizewell B nuclear power station.

Andrew is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has served as a Vice President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and was previously named Civil Engineering Manager of the Year by the Institution. In 2020, Andrew led a study on behalf of the ICE into the performance of infrastructure project delivery that led to a report. Welcomed across the industry, defining a Systems Approach to Infrastructure Delivery. This has been followed by the publication of a subsequent report focussing on case studies and guidance for practitioners on the application of the systems thinking principles.

In July 2021, Andrew was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the newly formed Board of AWE Plc, with specific responsibility for the infrastructure investment programme to support the current and future delivery requirements of the organisation. Early in 2023, Andrew transferred to become an Executive director of AWE taking full time responsibility for the delivery of the investment programme.

In December 2021, Andrew was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Sheffield Forgemasters Ltd, with specific responsibilities for the investments in new infrastructure and equipment by MoD to support future at sea capability.

In June 2022, Andrew was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the John Grill Institute for project Leadership, the University of Sydney, Australia.

Fergus Harradence

Senior civil service roles - a legacy of accomplishments

Fergus has been instrumental in aligning the infrastructure sector with His Majesty's Government (HMG) strategic objectives, particularly in relation to economic growth, net-zero carbon, and delivering social value.

His role involves coordinating construction with HMG capital programs, policies, and cross-departmental strategies to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and exports. Fergus has also played a key role in the development and implementation of the £420m Construction Sector Deal, positioning the UK as a global leader in construction technologies and techniques, having previously established the Catapult Network of technology and innovation centres in the UK. 

Fergus is also responsible for the £30m UK National Digital Twin Programme. His dedication to sustainability is evident in the successful launch of the CO2nstruct Zero initiative, aimed at achieving industry carbon reduction objectives for 2030 and 2050. 

Fergus Harradence's remarkable journey and achievements make him an invaluable addition to our Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Residence Programme. We invite students, faculty, and staff to take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with Fergus, learn from his experiences, and contribute to the vibrant academic community we are cultivating.

John Pelton MBE

An innovator and leader in infrastructure

John Pelton is a dynamic and versatile senior executive, celebrated for his strategic acumen and planning skills. Recognised at senior board levels, John has led high-performance project and program teams, demonstrating expertise in major portfolio and program deliveries, collaborative team building, and strategic planning.

John’s distinguished career and commitment to excellence make him an ideal addition to Southampton Business School's Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Residence Programme.

We invite students, faculty, and staff to engage with John, leveraging his wealth of experience to enrich our academic community.

Mark Enzer

A catalyst for change in the infrastructure landscape

Mark is a highly respected change leader renowned for shaping the infrastructure landscape in the UK and beyond. With a proven track record, he has spearheaded transformative projects that have left a positive impact on the built environment.

In recognition of his significant contributions, Mark was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours List for services to the national infrastructure. Moreover, he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2021, underlining his standing in the industry.

Mark's passion for transformation in the infrastructure industry is evident in his focus on systems-thinking, digitalisation, collaborative delivery models, and sustainability. As a Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Fellow at Imperial College, London, Mark is committed to sharing his expertise and shaping the future of the built environment.

Nassar Majothi

A visionary leader in managing the complexity of mega-projects

Nassar brings a wealth of experience to our program as the current Director of Systems Integration at HS2 Ltd, Europe's largest infrastructure program. His role involves providing organizational and technical leadership, addressing the complexity challenge innovatively and inclusively across the entire program. Nassar's career has been marked by impactful roles, including being a Director at WSP UK, where he was part of the UK Executive Leadership Team and Deputy Head of the Rail Business.

Having worked extensively in the UK and internationally he has gained many pragmatic lessons from key projects including Victoria Line Upgrade and the Thameslink Programme, Makkah Public Transport Programme and now HS2. From these experiences Nassar firmly believes that people are at the centre of mega-project delivery which can be improved using a systems approach and willingness to innovate organisation, process and technology. Nassar has a passion for practical systems thinking, applying it daily in his role as a leader and mentor to individuals and teams helping them to cope with complex challenges.

Nassar Majothi's exceptional leadership experience and profound knowledge in engineering and systems integration make him an invaluable addition to Southampton Business School's Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Residence Programme. We invite students, faculty, and staff to seize this unique opportunity to engage with Nassar, learn from his wealth of experiences, and contribute to the dynamic academic environment we foster.

Temi Afolabi

A leader guided by values

Temi, a distinguished professional associated with The Nichols Group, stands as a key figure in steering the successful delivery of infrastructure projects and shaping the strategic direction of the Nichols Environmental sector. At the core of his responsibilities is the adept management of environmental, social, and climate challenges, aligning with the UK Net Zero strategy.

With a stellar track record, Temi has been a guiding force in various infrastructure initiatives, notably contributing to the final stages of commissioning and systems integration for the prestigious Crossrail programme. His leadership played a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operationalisation of this critical project. Particularly noteworthy is his contribution to developing and implementing a robust station commissioning strategy, coupled with vigilant performance monitoring.

Temi's approach goes beyond traditional leadership; he embodies the principles of systems leadership. His strategic vision transcends project boundaries, encompassing a holistic perspective that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various elements within the infrastructure landscape. This systems leadership approach ensures that projects not only meet immediate objectives but also contribute to broader societal and environmental goals.

Beyond project delivery, Temi encapsulates the essence of an infrastructure and operational leader with a systems mindset. His dedication extends to serving the community while concurrently fostering sectoral growth, contributing to the realisation of a thriving and prosperous economy. Temi brings a wealth of experience, strategic vision, and a commitment to systems leadership, enriching the academic community with insights into the intricate interplay of infrastructure, environment, and societal well-being.

 

Emma-Jane Houghton

Commercial Director, AWE

Emma-Jane is the Commercial Director, for the MOD. She was previously a senior commercial director within the Cabinet Office and seconded to the New Hospital Programme for 2 years. She is a highly experienced commercial specialist who is passionate about creating a more modern, productive and sustainable construction industry.

Emma-Jane’s background and professional accomplishments span major project and programme delivery as well as Big 4 consultancy and advisory leadership roles. She has held positions across the full end-to-end construction supply chain including subcontractor, contractor and client roles with particular highlights including Terminal 5, East London Line, Thameslink, a range of regulated UK utility entities and Heathrow Expansion.

This mix of roles, and the different delivery environments where Emma-Jane operated, sparked a deep interest in the link between commercial ‘ethos’ and the resulting performance of construction teams and their extended supply chains.

Emma-Jane has led the creation of innovative commercial strategies which embrace the principles of Project 13, the Construction Playbook and the Value Toolkit - initiatives in which she played a lead drafting role – to focus on the attainment of built environment outcomes and a broader value profile that go beyond simple ‘time’ / ‘cost’ parameters.

She has pioneered the development of this outcomes-led commercial model for major public sector programmes. These redefine the relationship between major infrastructure programmes and its suppliers, enabling innovation and production-led construction practices the industry requires.