Specialist geotechnical engineer Bachy Soletanche has announced the appointment of Ken Gailey as its new operations director within the UK and Ireland.

Ken joins the firm from Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering, where he worked as pre-construction manager and head of minipiling operations. The new role will see him responsible for developing operational performance and ensuring the implementation of new processes to help achieve the company’s business objectives by 2020.

A Chartered Engineer with a BEng in Civil Engineering from Dundee University, Ken has almost 30 years of industry experience, having commenced his career as a senior engineer at a major UK piling firm, before progressing to project manager and later pre-construction director at respected ground engineering companies in the UK and Far East.

Ken said: “The Bachy Soletanche group has a long standing reputation for quality and excellence within its field and this, coupled with their passion for driving innovation and performance were major reasons for me choosing to join the team. The company is keen to embrace progression and I look forward to introducing new ideas and initiatives gained from my experience in the sector.”

Chris Merridew, director of Bachy Soletanche, added: “The appointment of Ken as our operations director enhances our management team and with it brings a vast amount of industry experience. We are confident that his appointment will assist Bachy Soletanche in its continued growth and development and drive our reputation as an industry leader within the field of foundations and ground engineering throughout 2016 and beyond.”