French Kier Anglia changes its name

French Kier Anglia has changed its name to Kier Eastern.

Kier Eastern chairman Ian Lawson said the new title more accurately reflects the size and scope of the business, which covers work from the Wash down to the Thames Estuary.

The business was founded by Elizabeth French, a Loughton farmer's widow, in the 1860s, carrying out local roadworks and drainage. W & C French merged with Kier in 1973.

Lawson said: "While our name is changing, our business will continue as before, combining our deep-rooted local expertise with the resources of Kier as one of the UK's leading construction groups."

Meanwhile, the business has added £6.7m to its orderbook, having won several deals in the defence, commercial and retail sectors. The largest is the £2.2m deal to design and construct 2,000m2 of offices on the Brackmills industrial estate outside Northampton.