Our guest is Alex Vaughan, CEO of Costain. Alex describes how it became clear during the development of their strategy that the first implementation step was to make sure everyone in the organisation understood the narrative for the business. He also shares how a more inclusive approach to strategy development has allowed him as CEO to shift from personally driving the strategy to setting the conditions for success.
Costain Group is recognised as one of the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions companies. It was founded in 1865 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In an industry first, Costain launched its detailed climate change action plan in February 2020 in which it committed to deliver low carbon solutions, including tackling ‘Scope 3’ emissions, to every client by 2023 and to be net zero by 2035. In 2020, it was named as a Times Top 50 Employer for Women for a third year running.
Alex Vaughan was appointed CEO in May 2019. Prior to this he was managing director of the Natural Resources division with responsibility for Costain’s services to water, oil and gas and power clients as well as the development of client facing technology solutions across the Group. He held this position from 2013. Alex is qualified as a chartered quantity surveyor. He has worked on infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally, as well as having held a number of corporate roles including Group HR director and corporate development director. In 2009 he completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (AMP).
Alex Vaughan