Introduction

We have a team with a diverse skill set catering for all aspects of wastewater management

Team

Our Leadership Team

Jeff Birtwhistle

Managing Director

Jeff joined the company in 2017, bringing with him 31 years of experience, including 15 years in heavy civil construction in South Africa, followed by 16 years of utilities industry experience in the UK working across electric, gas, water, wastewater, and telecoms. Since joining the company, Jeff has embarked on a continuous improvement programme with over 90 innovations, initiatives, and improvements introduced. These include increasing the in-house capability, quality, and services delivered to clients. Jeff thrives on helping people and teams to deliver their potential.

Peter Stobbs

Commercial Director

Peter joined the company in 2018, with over 22-years of experience in contracting. Before taking on his current role, Peter was Commercial Director for Lanes Group, where he delivered circa £120m of Thames Water wastewater maintenance programme in AMP6. Prior to this, Peter has worked in senior commercial and accounting positions at Amey, as well as within the food manufacturing sector. Peter oversees all commercial activities, from contract reviews at tender stage through to delivery and handover, working closely with our operational teams to deliver efficient and high-quality projects. He realises the importance of collaborating with our clients and supply chain to ensure best value and cost certainty. Peter is a qualified Accountant (CIMA member) and has a wide range of accounting and commercial experience working for different sized organisations.

Julie Anne Stokes

Head of Planned Works

Julie-Anne joined the company in 2019 in the Planned Works Division and became Head of Planned Works in 2021, delivering design and build services for new infrastructure across the South East. As a Chartered Engineer, Julie-Anne has over 20 years’ experience in civil engineering and the Water / Wastewater Sector in the UK and abroad. Since coming to the UK, Julie-Anne has been involved in various infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, including leading the delivery of the £100m Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works. Julie-Anne is passionate about developing resilient teams to safely deliver outstanding performance.

Louise Powling

Head of Continuous Improvement

Louise has been employed by Cappagh since 2003, following 12 years working for Thames Water. She has over 28 years’ experience in the sector and specialises in processes and systems, working across our business to improve contractual performance. Louise works in collaboration with our clients to deliver efficiency, enrich our brand and enhance customer experience.

Lewis Roberts

Head of HSEWQ

Lewis joined the company and the senior leadership team in 2023 as Head of Health, Safety, Security and Environment. Previously, Lewis worked for Southern Water in their HSSW department with specific responsibility across safety and security across the operational and corporate estate. Before entering the world of utilities, Lewis served across the world in the military, and has subsequently gained experience of Health, Safety, Security and Environment in the Corporate Sector and Construction Sector, including large projects such as London 2012 and High Speed 2. Lewis plans to continue driving CBUL’s corporate safety, security and environment culture forward, protecting our people and business, while ensuring that we protect the contract by delivering above and beyond the client’s expectations.

Chris Brown

Head of Customer

Chris joined Cappagh Browne as Head of Customer in early 2024, bringing a wealth of experience managing contact centres in BT Retail and consulting on new business opportunities at BT Global Services. After 10 years running his own business in the USA, Chris joined Southern Water as a customer manager working on complaints reduction and customer journey improvements. Chris is energizing our customer centric culture at Cappagh Browne and creating better outcomes for our clients and their customers.

Matthew Reid

Head of Plant and Transport

Matthew Joined the company in 2022, bringing with him over 20 years of transport knowledge and experience. Matthew gained a National CPC in 2008 and has worked all over the UK. His previous experience includes working with AO.COM, the UK’s large white goods retailer, on their logistics. Matthew has operated fleets of over 580 vehicles, ranging from small vans up to 44 tonne articulated vehicles. This includes inhouse workshops and management of fleet maintenance. Matthew brings innovative transport ideas and keeps his finger on the pulse of all new legislation changes.

James Hatt

Director of Operations

James joins the Senior Leadership team to continue with and foster even greater collaboration with Southern Water, and to ensure day to day delivery of the Framework objectives and broader AMP8 challenges.

With 30 years Operational and Strategic experience across the Utilities sector, James will build on recent successes - awards and short-listings from professional institutes such as IGEM and the Pipeline Industry Guild - to deliver change and performance enhancements across operational delivery and innovation, SHEQ and customer service.

With a passion for developing people, James will bring a fresh perspective for attracting talent, whilst ensuring strong budgetary control, and real time reporting.

Scott Willard

Head of PMO

Scott joined the company in 2024 as Head of PMO, bringing with him 15 years of experience in the gas industry where he held roles in operations, customer services, innovation and transformation. Scott uses his experience and innovation background to drive progress and efficiency, leading our digital transformation and helping deliver our business strategy and innovation programme.

Team

Our Board Members

Tom Ferncombe

Tom is the company’s founder and Chairman. Tom started the company more than 40 years ago and has grown the group of companies to a combined turnover of £100M. Tom plays a very active role in the company’s operational and strategic affairs.

Michael Ferncombe

Michael is the Managing Director of the Group of Companies, as well as the Son of our Founder, Tom. Michael has been involved in the family business all his working career, beginning as a teenager. He has developed an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of our business. Michael possesses outstanding business acumen and a keen eye for opportunities to expand the company.

Matt Guest

Matt is Managing Director at Cappagh having joined the company in 2008, having already spent 12 years in the utilities industry. Matt’s particular area of expertise lies in the water and wastewater sector, but he is also experienced in other utilities and general civil engineering. Matt is responsible for Cappagh Contractors’ framework contract agreements, in terms of operational and customer delivery, safety and financial performance.

Paul McMahon

Paul is Group Managing Director of Browne. With over 30 years of experience in civil engineering and utility contracting, he has developed and led collaborative frameworks for clients throughout the UK in both Water and Power. He is both a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is passionate about building successful teams, keeping people safe, and delivering for customers.

Steven Williams

Steven joined Browne in 2022 as Finance Director and brings over 7 years of corporate finance experience in the construction sector to the business. Before joining the Group, he held senior finance roles for major contractors working in the UK Highways and Road Infrastructure sector. Previously, he maintained a position as a Chartered Accountant in private practice, before moving into industry and contractual finance. Steven oversees finance activities for the Browne Group companies and joint ventures, working closely with operational and commercial teams. He will continue to develop a strong finance team for the constant growth of the business.

Michael Tarr

Michael joined Browne in 2022 as Commercial Director, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the civil engineering industry. Michael has managed a broad spectrum of frameworks and standalone projects for multiple clients and believes passionately that teamwork and collaboration is the key to successful project delivery. At Browne, Michael is responsible for all commercial activities to meet the needs of the Group, working closely with our operational staff, supply chain partners and client teams to provide strategic support and commercial expertise for successful project delivery. He is a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and plays an active role in mentoring our people to build meaningful careers in this field.

Jeff Birtwhistle

Jeff joined the company in 2017, bringing with him 31 years of experience, including 15 years in heavy civil construction in South Africa, followed by 16 years of utilities industry experience in the UK working across electric, gas, water, wastewater, and telecoms. Since joining the company, Jeff has embarked on a continuous improvement programme with over 90 innovations, initiatives, and improvements introduced. These include increasing the in-house capability, quality, and services delivered to clients. Jeff thrives on helping people and teams to deliver their potential.

Careers

Seeking to join a dynamic team? Explore our current vacancies here.

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Meet the team
Meet the team
Meet the team

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