Bilfinger BOT appoints new managing director

Nick Dawson has been appointed managing director of Bilfinger Berger BOT, the UK private finance and project development division of the German construction group.

Dawson, a director of Carillion Private Finance for seven years, succeeds Kenneth Reid who has been promoted to head-up Bilfinger's global concession investment activities in Germany.

Reid said: "The appointment reinforces our commitment to the UK and Ireland markets where we expect to establish a significant presence."

Bilfinger BOT's four selected PFI markets are: railway infrastructure; education; health; and large road schemes.

The division typically works up six PFI bids a year. It has reached financial close on three: North Wiltshire schools (£37m); Gloucester hospital (£38m); and the Hull Royal Infirmary (£23m). Work on these projects was undertaken by sister division Bilfinger Berger UK, the construction business. It will also be set to work if two shortlisted projects turn up trumps: the £49m Bristol schools; and the £17m Taunton and Somerset oncology hospital.

Two weeks ago Bilfinger BOT was named as preferred bidder for the £18m Bedfordshire Schools PFI, operating in a consortium with Galliford Try. Construction work has been awarded to Galliford (Midlands).

In a move to strengthen its position in the PFI market, Bilfinger BOT has joined a consortium in Northern Ireland called Northwin that has won four projects in schools and higher education.

Bilfinger BOT takes the place of the developer McGuinness in the consortium, where building work is undertaken jointly by Graham Construction, a member of Northwin, and Farran, another construction group.