Meet the Team

Sean has been with VGC for over four decades. Before founding the business, he began his career teaching maths and computing in the 1970s. Together with his business partner, Bart Keaney, he built VGC through steady expansion across construction and rail sectors.

His long-standing leadership has shaped the values, stability and direction of the Group.

Ciara joined VGC in 2002 and was appointed to the Board in 2005. Her background spans HR, finance, IT and marketing, leading key head office functions during a period of sustained growth. She has played a central role in shaping the Group’s recruitment, development and corporate responsibility strategies, supporting delivery across major UK infrastructure programmes.

Her leadership continues to reinforce VGC’s commitment to ethical practice, social value and long-term sector partnership.

As Managing Director, Chris led the integration of regional businesses and strengthened the Group’s operational structure during a period of national expansion. Appointed COO in 2025, he now oversees operational delivery across the Group, including SHE and supports strategic business development.

Chris is a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) and is a member of the Institute of Collaborative Working (MICW).

Chris is an FCA-qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) with extensive UK and international experience across professional services, construction and recruitment. His background includes senior finance leadership roles within multinational organisations, with expertise in statutory compliance, financial reporting, corporate tax, systems migration and digital transformation.

As a member of the Executive Board and Senior Leadership Team, Chris leads a multi-disciplinary finance team and plays a key role in strengthening financial controls, governance and reporting across the Group.

His background includes leading civils and HS2 delivery in the North before moving into Director-level leadership. Appointed Managing Director in January 2025, Steve is responsible for overseeing operational performance and supporting the continued growth of VGC’s recruitment business across the UK. 

Steve brings practical industry knowledge and a strong focus on delivery within complex civil engineering and rail environments.

Her background spans all areas of Human Resources, including onboarding, reward and benefits, employment law, employee and industrial relations, compliance, and learning and development. Having led the HR function for many years, Laura was promoted to HR Director in January 2026. She is responsible for shaping and delivering the Group’s people strategy, ensuring HR practices support a compliant, inclusive and high-performing organisation.

Laura holds a CMI NVQ Level 4 in Management and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of West London.

Stephen’s background spans recruitment, construction and the energy sector, including nuclear and renewables. He has held a number of senior business development roles within VGC, progressing from Business Development Manager to Business Development Director before being appointed Client Engagement Director in 2020.

He builds long-term client partnerships and supports growth across infrastructure and energy sectors.

He is a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH), a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI), a Board Member of the Rail Industry Contractors Association (RICA), and a FIR Ambassador. Richard has also contributed to CITB Lifting Operations working groups and retains Appointed Person and Crane Supervisor certifications.

Richard’s background includes extensive experience across rail and tunnelling environments, with a focus on behaviour-based safety and practical risk management. 

Natalie’s background includes delivering enterprise-level change across infrastructure, construction and other regulated sectors. Her work focuses on aligning technology strategy with business objectives, strengthening governance and cybersecurity, and embedding sustainable operating models.

In 2025, Natalie received the Go Beyond Award for Outstanding Achievement, recognising the successful delivery of a cross-functional digital transformation programme.

Chris progressed through operational leadership roles within VGC before being appointed Regional Director in 2025. He now leads performance and delivery capability across major infrastructure programmes and regional frameworks in the south of England

His background includes safety-critical rail work and operational management across complex civil engineering environments.

Peter’s background spans senior and C-level positions within the recruitment, telecommunications and construction sectors, as well as central government. His work focuses on strengthening governance frameworks, ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating organisational and client risk across the Group.

He also serves on the Supply Chain Sustainability School Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Steering Group, supporting industry-wide initiatives that promote inclusive and responsible business practices.

James joined VGC in 2012 and progressed through a series of operational roles before being appointed Regional Director in 2025. His experience spans both blue- and white-collar recruitment and the management of delivery teams across complex infrastructure environments.

He focuses on building strong, capable teams and ensuring safe, effective project delivery.