"As well as welcoming Neil, we wholeheartedly thank outgoing chief executive Paul Hamer for his leadership and work over the past seven years to well position the business for the future." Martin started his career as a site engineer at Bovis in 1990, later joining Kier as a construction lawyer, before returning to Bovis in 1999 as it was being acquired by Lendlease. Prior to becoming Europe boss, he spent five years in the contractor's global headquarters in Sydney, Australia. Lendlease Europe made a £230m annual loss in the year to 30 June 2022, with the account including a £114m provision for fire-safety remediation work. Martin said: "Sir Robert McAlpine is one of the most respected businesses in the sector. "Its reputation for building excellence and enviable 155-year history sets it apart from others. It is an absolute honour to become chief executive of a company that has worked on some of the country's most iconic landmarks.