Construction firm Willmott Dixon has appointed John Willcox (pictured) as the new operations manager in its Bristol office, strengthening and expanding its activity across the West.
Mr Willcox, from Clevedon, joins Willmott Dixon with 32 years of experience in the construction sector – 28 of them in the West. Starting as a graduate trainee with Higgs and Hill in 1980, he progressed through a number of roles including planner, contracts manager and project manager, before it was acquired by HBG in 1996.
He then successfully oversaw the completion of multi-million pound projects as projects director for HBG before its acquisition by BAM in 2002, where he continued to work for 13 years at director level to expand the firm into South Wales, the South West, and the South Coast.
In his new role for Willmott Dixon, Mr Willcox will be responsible for heading the team that will expand the firm’s regional offering into the far South West, including Devon and Cornwall, as well as supervising existing high-profile projects such as Weston-super-Mare Town Hall, Worle Community Centre and Gordano 6th form college.
Extending the level of work in the South West is part of Willmott Dixon’s strategy to reach its target turnover of £115m for 2012 for the region.
Mr Willcox said: “It’s a pleasure to join a company that has such a high standing in the construction industry at such an exciting time in its regional development. Despite the challenges facing the construction sector, Willmott Dixon has continued to perform well and I am looking forward to helping the firm take advantage of opportunities that are available in the far South West, where I’ve previously been able to help build up a £25m business in the region.”
Willmott Dixon in Wales and the South West increased annual turnover from £95m to £110m last year.
