John was appointed to the board of Halcrow as a non-executive director in August 2006. He brought to the company a strong background in construction and property, having been group chief executive of UK companies Higgs and Hill PLC for five years and then latterly, until 2004, of Swan Hill PLC. He started with Higgs and Hill in 1985 and held a number of senior positions including corporate planning manager, finance director and managing director of the UK construction division, prior to becoming chief executive.

He currently holds two other non-executive directorships, with ARCO and Black Sheep Brewery. ARCO is the UK’s largest distributor and seller of safety equipment and clothing. His association with Black Sheep Brewery goes back to 1991, when he joined the board of the company founded by his brother Paul in North Yorkshire, UK.

As well as having a wide range of industry experience and knowledge, John also specialises in strategic and business planning, risk analysis, performance improvement and management development.