Mark Holmes named as new Infrastructure Export UK Co-Chair

Mark Holmes, Deputy Chairman at Mace Group, is set to become the new Co-Chair of Infrastructure Export UK (IE:UK).

Mr Holmes has worked at Mace for the past 28 years, joining the board in 1996. In 2019, he was promoted to Deputy Chairman of the Group. During his time at Mace, he has been responsible for the delivery of a number of major programmes, including British Airway’s £200m headquarters at Waterside.

He has also led Mace’s expansion into a number of new markets and regions over the last three decades, including the company’s work in the UK public sector and establishing its fast-growing North American business.

IE:UK provides a forum to discuss the UK’s involvement in upcoming global infrastructure programmes, bringing the sector together to give British firms the best chance of winning international projects. The Board provides an opportunity for industry and government to work together on setting future priorities, with the role of the Board Members being to identify and select projects for IE:UK companies to jointly pursue and to provide leadership throughout.

The Board is co-chaired by a member of the private sector on a 2-year basis, with Mr Holmes working alongside the Department for International Trade’s Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP. Mark Holmes replaces the departing Sir James Wates, who was industry Co-Chair from the Board’s inception and was instrumental in establishing IE:UK as a key industry/government partnership.

Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP said:

“I’d like to congratulate Mark on his appointment as Co-Chair at IE:UK.  I look forward to working closely with him, along with the other Board members, to help British consortia win a growing share of contracts across the globe.

“Major infrastructure projects continue to progress, despite coronavirus, and it is in those contracts that the support of government can make all the difference.  We are determined to harness the whole of government behind UK expertise and, as we open up global markets through free trade agreements, allow UK businesses to share their innovation, talent and expertise to the benefit of people both at home and abroad.”

Mark Holmes, Deputy Chairman at Mace Group:

“This is an exciting time for the export of British expertise overseas. We have an exceptional national reputation for overcoming complex engineering and construction challenges, and so we’re perfectly placed to help countries across the world deliver the infrastructure programmes that will drive their economic recovery from the pandemic.

“I am honoured to take up this role and build on the fantastic work that IE:UK has delivered since it was established in 2018. I am excited to work with Minister Stuart, the Department and private sector colleagues to help secure new international contracts for British companies.”