Opus | Key Appointments for International Consultants

Opus is a leading global multi-disciplinary consultancy providing specialist advice and project management across a wide range of service sectors.  The main areas of work include highway asset development and maintenance, rail engineering, structural design, infrastructure development and asset management, water management and environmental planning.

Opus employs over 450 staff across 12 offices in the UK.  The UK team grew by over 130 staff in 2012 following the award of a long-term asset management contract with the Hertfordshire County Council. This was a major win – one of the largest in the company’s history.  For the third consecutive year, Opus has been recognised by the New Civil Engineer as one of the UK’s Top 20 recruiters.

Opus has over 3,000 staff in offices and laboratories throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United States of America and New Zealand.

The company has appointed Steve Draper as the Technical Director of Asset Management as a key part of its growth plans in transport and infrastructure.  Steve has over 30 years’ experience in asset management and road network operations in the UK, Middle East, Europe and New Zealand. He brings to the role, extensive experience in the infrastructure sector in senior management and directorship roles. In this role, he will lead strategy, business development as well as delivering projects.  Steve has joined from Atkins where he had spent a total of 17 years.

Andy Tovey has been appointed as the Director of Highways for the UK.  He has recently returned from working in New Zealand with Opus and brings with him a wealth of experience in the highway maintenance and asset management sectors. He spent 16 years working in the public sector for Local Authorities, Andy brings a unique blend of Local Authority knowledge and private sector acumen.

Commenting on their appointments, Mark Valentine, Opus UK Sector Leader said “These are key appointments for the UK and we are delighted to have these high calibre individuals on board.  Both Steve and Andy’s business acumen and strong strategic growth experience will be a significant asset to our business.”

Working in tandem, Steve and Andy’s roles will focus on creating new opportunities to take the business to its next level of development, servicing the local authority market with our specialist development and asset management capabilities.