Operational executive
Alan Manuel
Group Chief Executive Officer
Alan started his career with an apprenticeship in quantity surveying, becoming chartered in 1987. Having worked for a number of Scottish businesses, he ran his own quantity surveying/project management practice before joining Cyril Sweett as a director in 1999. Alan was appointed chief operating officer of Currie & Brown’s UK and Europe businesses when Currie & Brown acquired Sweett Group in 2016. During his 30+ years’ post-qualification experience he has played a key role in a variety of high-profile schemes for private and public sector clients. Alan is also a member of the RICS QS Leaders Forum and a committee member of both REVO and the Institute for Collaborative Working.
Simon Andrews
Chief Operating Officer, Middle East
Simon has an honours degree in civil engineering and became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1984. In 2015, after 28 years with KBR, most of which was spent living and working in Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Simon joined Currie & Brown as chief operating officer of the Middle East business. He has extensive experience in the delivery of major PM and EPCM projects such as Palm Jumeirah and Yas Island.
Kim Berry
Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific
Kim joined Currie & Brown in Hong Kong in 1982 when the business was known as Widnell. He became managing director of the Hong Kong and China offices in 1987 and in the ensuing years led growth in Asia Pacific from 10 people to over 700 at the present time. Kim trained as a quantity surveyor in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in addition to his qualification as a chartered surveyor he is a graduate in English law from London University. His professional focus is contract drafting, procurement, contract administration and claims advisory work.
Nick Gray
Chief Operating Officer, UK and Europe
After spending the early part of his career working on large infrastructure projects for an international construction contractor, Nick worked in private practice and for one of the ‘big 4’ global consultancies. He has advised a number of investment banks on the financing of projects in South America, Europe and Australia under a variety of procurement models spanning a wide range of industry sectors. Nick held significant operational responsibility at UK board level prior to joining Currie & Brown in 2022 as chief operating officer, Europe and UK. Nick is a fellow of the RICS and holds the degree of bachelor of laws.
Satyakumar Shetty
Chief Operating Officer, India
On completion of his degree in engineering from Mumbai University, Satyakumar started his career as a junior engineer with the Mumbai developer, Lokhandwala Group of Companies. In 1999 he joined Currie & Brown as a senior quantity surveyor. Having helped to expand the company in India and built up a wealth of experience in projects, cost and contract management, he was appointed as the region’s chief operating officer in 2010. A fellow of the RICS, Satyakumar has led Currie & Brown's operations in India where the company is recognised for its expertise across the full range of industries, but particularly in commercial and residential property, hospitality and leisure, retail, education, healthcare and industrial developments.
Paul Wood
President and Chief Operating Officer, Americas
Paul Wood joined Currie & Brown as president and chief operating officer of the US business in August 2015. After obtaining a BSc in quantity surveying from the University of Westminster, Paul was admitted as a member to the RICS. Paul, who is also a member of the Association of Cost Engineers, is experienced in all facets of the service industry, including strategic planning, contracting, engineering, architectural design and consultancy. His expertise has been gained across a range of business sectors, including high-tech, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, transportation, energy and infrastructure, often for Fortune 100 clients.
Mark Sowerby
Group Finance Director
Mark joined Currie & Brown in February 2021, having previously been the CFO at Esh Group, a privately owned British building group.
After gaining a BSc in mathematics with statistics, and qualifying as a chartered accountant with KPMG in the UK, Mark spent more than 20 years with the Atkins Group, initially as a financial controller and then, between 2003 and 2017, he was the worldwide finance director of the project management division, Faithful+Gould. While at Atkins he also served as finance director of the company’s facilities management business and represented Atkins on the board of the Colchester Garrison PFI.
Chris Balmbro
Group IT Director
With a degree in philosophy from the University of Birmingham, Chris decided to embark on a career in IT and is a member of the British Computer Society. During the 20 years he has spent in real estate and construction, he has acquired significant experience in change projects and integrating IT systems following acquisitions. Following 14 years at Knight Frank LLP, Chris joined Currie & Brown in 2013 as group IT manager, becoming group IT director in January 2016 before being appointed to the operational executive in January 2021.
James Grinnell
Group People Director
James joined Currie & Brown as group people director in August 2016, following the acquisition of Sweett Group plc where he had been group HR director since November 2013. Prior to his time in this post, James operated in a variety of senior posts both inside and outside the HR function. These have included management of large-scale change programmes, linked to acquisitions and organisational change. James’ career has concentrated predominantly within the sectors of construction, engineering, support services and property. He is qualified to master’s level, and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Katie Johnston
Group Marketing and Communications Director
Katie joined Currie & Brown as the group marketing and communications director in June 2022. With a wealth of experience working in the professional services, consultancy, technology and construction industry, Katie oversees the development and execution of all marketing and communications initiatives. A strong track record of leading marketing and communications teams, brand transformation, as well as leading highly impactful revenue generating marketing campaigns.
John Graham
Global head of project management growth
John is a chartered surveyor, project and programme manager who has held key board level roles in both private practices and a FTSE100 organisation. A strong track record of successfully delivering major capital programmes within the public and private sectors, both in the UK and internationally. He has developed and led multi-skilled service teams of up to 500 people, providing effective leadership that builds high performing, collaborative, and outcome focussed teams. John joined Currie & Brown in 2022 as group head of project management growth to lead the ongoing development and transformation of the firm’s project management service line and the solutions that we deliver to our clients.
Sandra Hogg
Company Secretary
Sandra joined Currie & Brown in 2003 as a temporary administrator, but became a permanent member after a month. Six months later, Sandra became a PA. She then became Assistant Company Secretary in 2012 and Company Secretary in 2013.