LONDON: Severfield plc, the UK’s market-leading structural steel group, has appointed Paul McNerney as its new Chief Executive Officer following a comprehensive executive search. McNerney will assume the role in the autumn, with a formal start date to be announced.
McNerney brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in construction and engineering, most recently serving as Director, Clients and Government at Laing O’Rourke. His previous roles include Managing Director of Laing O’Rourke’s UK construction business, Select Plant Hire, Explore Manufacturing, and Crown House Technologies.
Throughout his career, McNerney has led strategic transformation and operational excellence across large-scale infrastructure projects. At Laing O’Rourke, he oversaw a £1.3 billion portfolio spanning stadia, healthcare, life sciences, aviation, and mixed-use developments. His leadership was instrumental in delivering high-profile schemes such as the Oxford University Humanities campus and Everton’s new stadium—both Severfield projects.
McNerney’s international experience includes establishing infrastructure operations in New South Wales, Australia, and expanding into oil and gas markets. He is a Chartered Surveyor, a member of the CBI UK Competitiveness Committee, and currently serves on the Liverpool–Manchester Railway Partnership Board.
“We are delighted to welcome Paul to Severfield,” said Charlie Cornish, Chair of Severfield plc. “His strategic acumen, operational delivery, and international perspective make him the ideal choice to lead the Group through its rebuilding process and into its next phase of growth and innovation.”
McNerney said he was “delighted to be joining Severfield at such a pivotal time,” adding, “The company has a proud heritage, strong values, and a clear opportunity to lead with innovation and excellence in the structural steel sector.”