WJ Group announce the appointment of Chris Southgate as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Southgate will join the business later this year, succeeding founder and current CEO Wayne Johnston.

Chris Southgate joins WJ from M&J Evans Construction, a groundworks and civil engineering company where he held the position of Chief Executive Officer since June 2020. As CEO, he led the company through strong financial and operational growth. He has extensive senior management experience, including roles at Barratt & David Wilson, Scottish and Newcastle PLC, and Kwik Fit. Chris has extensive experience across the construction and infrastructure sectors, including senior leadership roles and a proven track record of driving sustainable business growth. 

Upon Chris’s appointment, Wayne Johnston will step down from his role as CEO and the day to day running of the business, and he said:

“WJ has been my life’s work for nearly 40 years, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built together. As we look toward the future, our ambitions demand that we strengthen and evolve our leadership. Chris is an exceptional fit for WJ – he brings deep sector expertise, strong values alignment, and a passion for developing colleagues and businesses. I am excited about this next chapter and look forward to supporting Chris as he leads WJ into its future.”

Chris Southgate, Incoming CEO, WJ Group added:

“I am honoured to be joining WJ, a business with a remarkable heritage and a vital purpose. Wayne and the team have built a strong, values‑driven organisation that makes a genuine difference to road users and communities. I look forward to working with colleagues across WJ to continue delivering excellence for our customers while helping shape the next phase of the company’s growth.”

(Picture: WJ Group)