The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East has appointed Dan Hutton, group commercial director at MGL Group, as its new chair.
He takes over from Ross Markwell, business development director at Esh Construction, who steps down after two years in the role.
Ross will remain on the board after 15 years of service, including terms as vice chair and chair. He now moves into a national leadership role as chair of the CECA Chairman’s Strategic Forum.
CECA North East was established in 1996 and represents 80 regional and national civil engineering contractors. The organisation advocates for its members, supports skills development and works to ensure the sector remains a key driver of economic growth across the North East.
It operates under a structured core pillars model incorporating sustainability, climate change & social value, clients, policy & workload, health, safety & wellbeing, careers & recruitment and skills & training.
Having joined the board in 2019, Dan has a strong focus on improving transparency, access and confidence within the regional infrastructure sector.
Dan, said: “There are clear opportunities ahead for CECA North East and our members as new funding comes into the region and infrastructure projects gain momentum. It is essential members have access to reliable information about upcoming work so they can plan, invest and grow with confidence.
“The recent announcement of nearly £2 billion for roads and public transport is a significant step that provides a solid foundation for sustained growth in the sector.
“CECA North East will continue to engage closely with government and regional partners to improve transparency and ensure members can connect directly with decision-makers. Our focus is on unlocking potential and supporting our members to deliver the infrastructure that strengthens the North East economy.”
Ross, said: “Over the past two years, CECA North East has played a key role in helping our members navigate challenging conditions. I’ve worked closely with the board and CECA North East director, Stuart Miller, to make sure we’re delivering real value for members and creating meaningful connections across the infrastructure landscape.
“Dan brings a sharp commercial understanding and a clear focus on the challenges our members face. I look forward to supporting him in his new role and continuing to contribute to the work of CECA, both regionally and nationally.”
Stuart Miller, director and company secretary of CECA North East, said: “This is a significant moment for CECA North East. Ross has shown real leadership and commitment during his time as chair and I want to thank him for the contribution he has made. Dan steps into the role with a strong grasp of what our members need right now, particularly around workload confidence and visibility.
“Our members are deeply rooted in the North East. They live here, employ here and spend over £1 billion here. Ensuring they have confidence in the future is vital, not just for our sector but for the wider economy. With greater transparency comes investment and that benefits everyone.”