Andy Scott

UK Managing Director, Defence and Security

Significantly increased geopolitical tensions mean we have the opportunity to make a real difference to the security and prosperity of the UK through our support of the defence enterprise.

I am the UK Managing Director of Defence and Security. My teams are working to transform performance across the Ministry of Defence and its supply chain, establish a new operating model for the sector as well as set up many of its major programmes for success.

I joined Turner & Townsend in 2011 as a Senior Project Manager, initially working for the Scotland infrastructure business and then across UK infrastructure, particularly in the South East. My role has seen me manage teams on several landmark schemes including Edinburgh Trams, Heathrow, Crossrail, Hinckley Point C and the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support business.

I was appointed to the UK infrastructure board in 2018 and in May 2023 I was promoted to the UK board as Managing Director for UK Defence and Security, establishing the company’s first UK defence segment in May 2024.

Career highlights

Promoted to UK Managing Director of Defence and Security
2024
Appointed to join the UK Board
2023
Set up and delivered phase two of Edinburgh Tram
2015-2017
Joined Turner & Townsend as a Senior Project manager, working on the recovery of phase one of Edinburgh Tram
2011

Q. What attracted you to join Turner & Townsend?

A. Having worked for a client and main contractor I was keen to explore the opportunity as a consultant to be more involved in the front-end policy, strategy and set up of major programmes. I was excited by the opportunity to have a greater influence on the outcome of programmes and to make a significant impact on the communities in which we operate.

Q. How has your career at Turner and Townsend developed?

A. Since joining as a Senior Project Manager, I have been involved in the delivery of several major schemes and programmes, including the recovery of the Edinburgh Tram programme. I then went on to manage and develop teams and business units focusing on growth in the Scottish market, and in London for infrastructure and now defence and security clients.

Q. Which project are you most proud of being involved in at Turner & Townsend?

A. Being involved in the recovery of the Edinburgh Trams programme first phase and then subsequently successfully setting up the second phase for success. This involved leveraging lessons learnt to provide greater transparency and predictability to the programme to ensure delivery on time and on budget for the second phase.

We did this by collaborating closely with our client City of Edinburgh Council, the operator Edinburgh Trams and wider stakeholders including the supply chain to embed our major programme set up methodologies.

Q. How do you contribute to Turner & Townsend making a difference?

A. My greatest contribution is to provide effective leadership, initially setting the strategic direction and then creating the environment for outperformance. Critical to this is to really understand the capabilities of the team both technically and behaviourally and then empower successful delivery.

Q. Detail any specialist skills or experience for which you are known

A. I am known for having a deep knowledge and understanding of how to set up and deliver major programmes, including change. These skills have been developed over several years on some of the UK’s most complex programmes with the most impactful outcomes delivered when working collaboratively with our clients and key stakeholders.

This has never been more important for the defence sector as we cohere a one defence enterprise around delivering national security.

Q. What do you most enjoy about working at Turner & Townsend?

A. I enjoy the fact that Turner & Townsend retains its entrepreneurial spirit, constantly challenging the status quo with a team of professional, like-minded people.

Q. What is the emerging trend in your industry specialism and how are you responding to this?

A. How we make best use of the insight from our global allies, partners and adjacent sectors as we continue to push the boundaries to develop the most appropriate operating model for the Ministry of Defence.

Q. What makes Turner & Townsend a great place to work?

A. The organisation’s willingness to enable its employees to make a difference in our communities by embracing our social value policies. As an example, this has enabled me to support Action for Children by running the London marathon and taking part in the Glasgow ‘boycott their beds’ charity sleepover.