New chair appointed at CECA North East

Dan Hutton, group commercial director at MGL Group, has been appointed chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East.

He succeeds Ross Markwell, of Esh Construction, who steps down after two years in the role and now takes on a national position as chair of the CECA Chairman’s Strategic Forum. 

Ross remains on the CECA North East board, where he has served for 15 years.

Dan, who joined the board in 2019, brings a clear focus on strengthening transparency and confidence in the region’s infrastructure pipeline. 

He said: “There are clear opportunities ahead for CECA North East and our members as new funding comes into the region and infrastructure projects gain momentum. 

“It is essential members have access to reliable information about upcoming work so they can plan, invest and grow with confidence.

“The recent announcement of nearly £2 billion for roads and public transport is a significant step that provides a solid foundation for sustained growth in the sector.

“CECA North East will continue to engage closely with government and regional partners to improve transparency and ensure members can connect directly with decision-makers. 

“Our focus is on unlocking potential and supporting our members to deliver the infrastructure that strengthens the North East economy.”

Ross added: “Over the past two years, CECA North East has played a key role in helping our members navigate challenging conditions. 

“I’ve worked closely with the board and CECA North East director, Stuart Miller, to make sure we’re delivering real value for members and creating meaningful connections across the infrastructure landscape.

“Dan brings a sharp commercial understanding and a clear focus on the challenges our members face. 

“I look forward to supporting him in his new role and continuing to contribute to the work of CECA, both regionally and nationally.”

CECA North East represents 80 contractors and continues to champion the sector’s role in driving economic growth through skills, sustainability, and strategic collaboration.

Stuart Miller, director and company secretary of CECA North East, added: “This is a significant moment for CECA North East. 

“Ross has shown real leadership and commitment during his time as chair and I want to thank him for the contribution he has made. 

“Dan steps into the role with a strong grasp of what our members need right now, particularly around workload confidence and visibility.

“Our members are deeply rooted in the North East. 

“They live here, employ here and spend over £1 billion here. 

“Ensuring they have confidence in the future is vital, not just for our sector but for the wider economy. 

“With greater transparency comes investment and that benefits everyone.”

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