Robert Ogg has been appointed as managing director of Akela Construction, while the firm has also announced the promotion of Will Payne, to managing director of Akela Ground Engineering.

Robert Ogg has held previous positions at Morgan Sindall as managing director of Scottish infrastructure works and Balfour Beatty, leading the delivery of key frameworks and projects. Most recently, he was the UK national frameworks director at Robertson Group for five years.

With expertise in leading large-scale frameworks and infrastructure projects, Robert will be instrumental in managing Akela Construction’s robust pipeline of work and identifying new opportunities across the civil engineering, renewables and energy sectors.

As well as extensive operational and commercial experience, Robert is well-versed in framework mechanisms and procurement routes, having led the BAA Scottish Airports Framework and played a key role in assisting the Scottish Government in the creation of the pan-Scotland Civil Engineering Framework.

Commenting on his appointment, Robert Ogg said: “Akela Construction has established itself as a trusted partner of choice for civil engineering and groundworks solutions, making it an exciting time to join the team. With self-delivery being at the fore of everything that Akela do, I will continue to ensure that projects are completed to the highest standards of quality and efficiency for our clients.

“I look forward to developing the strong client relationships that are already in place as well as introducing new ones that will further strengthen our pipeline and realise the group’s vision.”

Additionally, Will Payne, who has served as the general manager for Akela Ground Engineering since May 2023, has been promoted to managing director.

Prior to joining Akela, Will worked for Roger Bullivant, managing and overseeing the delivery of piling projects across the Midlands, East Anglia and Gibraltar. With over two decades of experience in specialist foundations, he has also held positions with Van Elle and Aarsleff.

Will has been instrumental in identifying growth opportunities, expanding into new markets, and staying ahead of industry trends and developments. He played a key role in the development and launch of A-Beam, Akela’s innovative precast concrete beam system, which was brought to market earlier this year and has the ability to dramatically speed up the delivery of new homes.

Will Payne said: “The construction sector is in a phase of rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, changing regulations and societal demands for sustainability, prefabrication and modular construction, to name a few.

“In my new role, I plan to build on the current successes at Akela Ground Engineering, empowering the team to deliver innovative ground engineering solutions for clients all over the UK.”

Mark Markey, group CEO for Akela, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Robert to Akela Construction, and the wider Akela Group, as we look towards an exciting future. Robert’s extensive experience will be vital in supporting our business growth. He will further develop our existing client relationships within the housing sector and play a pivotal role in our Group strategy, which is focused on expansion into new and developing sectors.

“Will’s appointment as managing director of our ground engineering business will help us focus our energies on expanding our reach across the UK and delivering innovative solutions for our clients. Over the last year, Will has proven to be an integral part of the Akela team, working hard to ensure standards, safety and the continuous innovation of our service delivery.

“There is already a strong synergy between Will and Robert, who, while working separately, will use their varied experiences and skills to drive success across the whole Akela Group and achieve our collective goals.”