Severfield appoints Simon Nicholas as chief technical officer

Severfield has appointed Simon Nicholas as chief technical officer and a member of its Executive Committee, with a brief to lead engineering and design across the structural steel group's operations in the UK, Europe and India.

Nicholas joins from Surbana Jurong and was previously managing director, UK and Europe, at Robert Bird Group, Severfield said in an announcement dated 9 November 2026. He reports to chief executive Paul McNerney.

The company said the appointment supports its refreshed group strategy, which puts engineering at the centre of client service and project delivery. His remit includes supporting clients earlier in the project lifecycle and connecting design, manufacturing and delivery.

Paul McNerney, CEO of Severfield, said: "Our refreshed Group strategy is about building a stronger, more integrated Severfield, with engineering excellence and client collaboration central to our success."

He added: "He brings enormous industry knowledge, international experience and ability to develop engineering teams to help deliver that ambition."

The role

Severfield said earlier client engagement, including through pre-construction services agreements (PCSAs), is a priority for the new post. The group also listed delivering innovation, developing its engineering expertise and building technical capability across its people as areas of focus.

Nicholas is a Chartered Engineer with more than 27 years' experience in structural engineering, according to Severfield. At Surbana Jurong he was global operations director for MEP+ED, overseeing 650 people across 12 locations. Severfield said he has also led global sustainability initiatives focused on reducing embodied carbon through design.

Second new Executive Committee post

The hire follows another senior appointment under the refreshed strategy. On 21 September 2026 Severfield appointed Terry Fitzmaurice to the newly created role of chief commercial officer, also reporting to McNerney and sitting on the Executive Committee. Fitzmaurice joined from Manchester Airports Group, where he was group procurement and contracts director.

On 14 October 2026 the group said it had secured a place on Network Rail's £240m steel supply framework. The six-year contracts are expected to start in January 2027, with an option to extend by a further two years. Announcing that award, McNerney said the refreshed strategy was focused on building on what the company does best and deepening customer relationships.

Modular frames at Sherburn

Severfield describes itself as the largest specialist structural steelwork group in the UK, with annual capacity to produce around 300,000 tonnes of fabricated steelwork. It has five manufacturing facilities in the UK, one in Europe and a joint venture in India, and was founded in 1978 as Severfield-Reeve.

Its offsite arm, Severfield Modular Solutions, is a member of the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) and is based at Ward House, Sherburn, Malton, North Yorkshire. The business has said its modular steel frames are made at the Sherburn site, where more than 400,000 sq ft is dedicated to the modular operation.

The modular business said it had a team of more than 120 fabricators, welders, painters and mechanical fitters and could produce up to six frames a day. Its frames are aimed at the commercial, healthcare, education and accommodation sectors.

Severfield's Network Rail framework contracts are expected to start in January 2027.