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Leo Quinn joined the WH Smith PLC Board on 7 April 2026 as Executive…
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Leo Quinn shared thisThis week, I join WHSmith as Executive Chair and I'm spending time with our colleagues and customers at our new flagship stores at Heathrow airport. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead and what we’ll build together as a travel essentials retailer, focused on making every customer journey better, to drive profitable and sustainable growth in our business.
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Leo Quinn shared thisI’m looking forward to joining WHSmith on the 7th April. It’s a fantastic business with an incredible heritage, and I’m committed to working with colleagues around the world to make sure the right foundations are in place to deliver long‑term value for investors, partners and employeesLeo Quinn shared thisThis morning, the Group has announced its intention to appoint Leo Quinn as Executive Chairman in April. Leo is a highly regarded business leader with over 20 years’ experience as CEO of UK publicly quoted companies, most recently as Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty plc - the UK’s largest infrastructure company. In each case, Leo has led significant business transformation, driving sustained cashflows and strong shareholder returns, including over £5 billion of total shareholder value. We very much look forward to Leo joining the Group and know he is very keen to start getting to know the business and our teams. We would also like to extend our thanks to Annette Court who will step down as Chair and non-executive director at the end of the Company's Annual General Meeting on 2 February. Annette has played a vital role in navigating the business through this most recent challenging period for the Group and ensured that the platform is in place for Leo to lead the next phase. Full details of today’s announcement can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eku7AEYu
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Leo Quinn shared thisAround fifteen years ago, at a previous company in a different life, times were tough. It led to us making difficult decisions, including scaling back on hiring apprentices, graduates and trainees. At the time, it seemed like the right decision, but fast forward a few years, we didn’t have the right people to fill the jobs, and it quickly became apparent that we hadn’t made the right call. It was a steep, hard learning curve. So, when I joined Balfour Beatty plc, I made a commitment. A commitment to grow and develop the next generation of talent. And today the company celebrates its Platinum accredited membership of The 5% Club – the highest level of recognition for our commitment to social mobility, diversity, inclusion, and creating meaningful learning opportunities. I am proud of what’s been achieved: an early careers community made up of 1,118 people, representing 7-8% of Balfour Beatty’s UK workforce year-on-year. These opportunities don’t just transform lives – they future-proof our business. It’s a win-win. I encourage all businesses to consider joining The 5% Club, to pledge your allegiance to investing in and building the workforce of tomorrow. Investing in the future is never optional. https://lnkd.in/eHaPtQhg
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Leo Quinn shared thisLast week, I had the privilege of attending the book launch of A Talent for Giving by John Studzinski. His “time, truths and treasures” framework is a powerful reminder that generosity isn’t just financial - it’s about sharing our experiences, networks and time. This message resonated deeply with me. As leaders, we have a responsibility to nurture the next generation. We must stop and think: “whose journey am I helping to guide?” A single conversation can shift someone’s path. Through Balfour Beatty’s reverse mentoring programme, I’ve had the pleasure of learning from AyoOluwa Ogunbambi-Alao, who joined us as a Graduate Electrical Engineer and is now a Project Manager in our Power Transmission & Distribution business. Since 2019, our conversations have been rich with insight - and I hope, mutual growth. I was lucky enough to catch up with Ayo again for lunch yesterday to carry on the conversation. It's easy to underestimate the power of listening and sharing. Time invested in each other is one of the most generous gifts we can give.
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Leo Quinn shared thisMy early days as a civil engineer at Balfour Beatty plc - my first ever ‘proper’ job (having first been a student DJ at University!) - were foundational in shaping my career and who I am today. I experienced first-hand that it’s a company that gives people real opportunity right from the start, trusts them to deliver, and supports them to grow. Balfour Beatty doesn’t just build infrastructure; it builds great leaders, careers and futures. Over the years since my return to Balfour Beatty, I’ve seen countless colleagues – across the UK, US, Hong Kong and beyond – turn that opportunity into extraordinary achievements. On Wednesday, I presented our 2025 half year results - my last as Group Chief Executive. On 8th September, I hand over to Philip Hoare – a proven leader with over 30 years’ in our industry. And I know the company’s next chapter will be even more exciting, driven by the talent, commitment and determination of our people and partners. We’ve captured that spirit in our latest film – a celebration of the people, projects and purpose that makes Balfour Beatty so special. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our remarkable shared journey since 2015 - and most importantly to my 27,000 Balfour Beatty colleagues, for shaping a company that’s built to last another 100 years and beyond. https://lnkd.in/e9pZkgyG
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Leo Quinn shared thisHeathrow’s third runway is a critical investment in the UK’s future - unlocking growth, driving inward investment, and creating thousands of high-quality jobs across the country. As Britain’s leading infrastructure company, Balfour Beatty plc knows the transformative impact such projects have - not just on connectivity, but on upskilling our workforce and inspiring the next generation of engineers and construction professionals. We fully support Heathrow’s submission and stand ready to help deliver a more resilient, globally competitive Britain.Leo Quinn shared thisToday, Heathrow has submitted our proposal to the Government for a 100% privately financed third runway. Heathrow’s expansion proposal promises greater choice, better value, and enhanced global connectivity for passengers and airlines: 🌍 +30 new destinations 👥 Up to 150 million passengers/year 🛫 Up to 756,000 flights/year 💸 Driving down fares through more choice 📦 Increase cargo capacity by 50% Heathrow is ready to deliver in our role as the UK’s Gateway to Growth. Expansion is expected to add 0.43% to UK GDP, unlock jobs and direct 60% of supply chain spend beyond London and the South-East. Watch the video below ⬇️ and find out more about Heathrow's expansion plans here➡️ https://lnkd.in/eW7pppxK #ukgatewaytogrowth
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Leo Quinn shared thisThis morning, Balfour Beatty plc announced a £7.2 million investment to bring Microsoft 365 Copilot to our UK-wide workforce. It marks not just a technological leap, but a cultural one too- this isn’t just about AI. It’s about people. With the McKinsey Global Institute citing a 14-15% productivity uplift in infrastructure and construction through technology adoption, Microsoft 365 Copilot has the potential to help close our industry’s stubborn and well-documented productivity gap. It’s about reducing time spent on creating health and safety briefings to allow more time to focus on what counts: being present on site, engaging with teams, and upholding our safety culture. It’s about reducing the burden of repetitive tasks so our engineers, planners and project managers can focus on what they do best - building the future. And it’s about creating a workplace where innovation supports productivity, quality, assurance and safety at every level. Technology is only as powerful as the people it empowers. That’s why this investment is not just a step forward in digital transformation - it’s a statement of intent: to attract the workforce of the future and support our people with intuitive, AI-driven tools that streamline workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and free up time for high-value work. Read more about the investment here: https://lnkd.in/dCNXKM7V #BBxCopilotLeo Quinn shared thisWe’re giving our people the power! This morning, we announced a £7.2 million investment in Microsoft 365 Copilot — one of the largest AI investments of its kind in the UK construction and infrastructure industry. This isn’t about Balfour Beatty jumping on the AI bandwagon, it’s about helping 7,500 employees in the UK transform how they work: 📈 Enhancing productivity 💡 Driving innovation ✅ Enabling smarter, faster and safer outcomes But don’t just take our word for it. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing first-hand stories from our people on the ground, those who’ve witnessed the wide-ranging benefits up close. Follow #BBxCopilot to read our colleagues' stories on how they’re using Copilot to connect, create and innovate. In the meantime, read more about the investment here: https://lnkd.in/g776eKCE
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Leo Quinn shared thisWith the Final Investment Decision for Sizewell C now confirmed, and teams already on the ground, we’re one step closer to realising Sizewell C – a project that will make Britain a clean and secure energy superpower, creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeships – over 10,000 to be precise. With a heritage in nuclear construction spanning nearly seven decades, from pioneering civil works at Berkeley Nuclear Power Station in 1957 to delivering critical infrastructure at Hinkley Point C - Sizewell C’s sister project, Balfour Beatty plc will bring unparalleled experience and expertise to the project alongside our Civil Works Alliance partners: Laing O'Rourke and Bouygues Travaux Publics We’re ready to get to work - applying the successful innovative solutions and the lessons we have learnt along the way from Hinkley Point C - to deliver this nationally significant project safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard. https://lnkd.in/ewwnQRfPSizewell C gets green light with final investment decisionSizewell C gets green light with final investment decision
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Leo Quinn shared thisThe new Infrastructure Pipeline is a big step forward, giving industry the clarity and confidence to invest in skills, grow capability and deliver sustainable, digital solutions. It’s what Balfour Beatty plc has been calling for: funded schemes, greater detail and transparency, and real-time updates to support business planning. The challenge now is keeping up momentum and making it a trusted tool for long-term UK infrastructure planning. https://lnkd.in/e829gtWvInfrastructure Pipeline kicks off new era of infrastructure deliveryInfrastructure Pipeline kicks off new era of infrastructure delivery
Leo Quinn commented on a post
2w
You truly made a big difference and I trust you will go on to make an even greater contribution in the next chapter of your life. Best Leo
Leo Quinn commented on a post
2mo
Not only has SiteAssist’s digital platform allowed Balfour Beatty to achieve World Class Safety Performance but it has also increased productivity along with better assurance & traceability across the breath of our portfolio.
Leo Quinn replied to a comment
2mo
Charles Hammond OBE I can still make a round of golf with the old team. Leo
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Leo Quinn liked thisLeo Quinn liked thisAfter 40 years working in the construction and infrastructure maintenance industry I have decided it is time to hang up my hard hat and earlier this week Balfour Beatty announced that I was retiring at the end of June. It has been a very memorable 40 years during which time I have worked for just 3 employers starting way back in 1986. I joined Amey as a junior engineer and left them 24 years later in 2010 and look back with fondness at the experiences I had and the opportunity to work with many fantastic people. After leaving Amey I spent an enjoyable 2 ½ years working with Peter Shone at JPCS. This was a real eye opener and I learnt so much about the SME world and the many challenges that SME’s face every day that are rarely experienced in the Corporate world. Peter and I had a blast entering the world of renewable energy and we played our part in shaping the early years of industrial solar power in the UK. And then in 2013 Balfour Beatty offered me a role in their Living Places business where I have spent the last 13 years. I joined as Operations Director and in 2017 was offered the role of Managing Director – a proud moment for me and I thank the organisation for trusting me with this amazing opportunity. Nearly 10 years later and I have spent time as Interim CEO of UKCS, Executive Sponsor of the Multi Cultural Affinity Network (what an amazing learning opportunity), several years leading the Ground Engineering Business and doing all this whilst leading a fantastic team of committed and talented people in BBLP. Balfour Beatty is an industry leader with a bright future and I was privileged to work with many of the best people in the industry. There are far too many people for me to thank for their support, sponsorship and friendship during the last 40 years but I do want to call out Chris Webster and Leo Quinn for the trust they put in me and their unwavering support and belief in my ability. I will savour the next 3 months or so as I work towards my retirement date of the 30th June and I look forward to a few retirement celebrations.
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