Former Skanska finance chief to join Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall has appointed former Skanska chief financial officer Kelly Gangotra as finance director.

The £3.6bn-turnover contractor said she would take on the role in the third quarter of next year, allowing for a handover period before incumbent Steve Crummett retires at the end of 2024.

Crummett was ranked in eighth place in Construction News' latest annual table of the top 20 best-paid construction executives, with basic pay of £449,000 and a total remuneration package of £1.6m in 2022.

Gangotra spent a decade at Skanska, leaving in 2022 to run the finance department at safety-equipment giant Halma.

She will become a member of the Morgan Sindall board when she joins the company.

Chief executive John Morgan thanked Crummett for his “exceptional contribution” over the past 10 years.

“Steve has seen the business through a period of significant growth, and has helped shape our strategic direction and ensure that the financial stewardship of the business over the last 10 years has supported the group’s long-term growth.”

He added: “I am delighted that Kelly will join the group in 2024 and I look forward to working with her over the years ahead.

“She has an excellent track record as a chief financial officer working in a decentralised business, is highly experienced in the construction and property industry, and her valuable and significant skills and insight will support me and the board as the group continues to develop and grow.”

Morgan Sindall is the second-largest contractor in the UK ranked on turnover, according to the CN100 annual list, with revenue of £3.61bn in the 2022 calendar year.

The firm reported a “growing” workload in a recent trading update, as it predicted a full-year performance in line with expectations.