Balfour Beatty appoints Richard Watts as Managing Director of its UK Rail business

Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has announced the appointment of Richard Watts who will join the Group later this year, becoming Managing Director of its UK Rail business in January 2026.

Richard has 20 years’ experience in the rail sector, providing transformative and innovative solutions to longstanding industry challenges and achieving best in class outcomes in this highly regulated sector.

He will join Balfour Beatty from BAM Nuttall where he was Rail Sector Director responsible for the overall performance and delivery of national rail frameworks, as well as for the company’s highways operations. Prior to BAM Nuttall, Richard enjoyed a successful career at TXM Plant, HS2 Ltd, Colas Rail and Network Rail, holding a number of senior leadership roles.

Richard will replace Mick Rayner, who has worked at Balfour Beatty for over 27 years, most recently as Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Rail business; a position he has held since 2018. Mick will continue in this role until the end of this year, moving into a new part-time Senior Advisory role in January 2026 and continuing to play an active part in supporting the UK Rail business.

Stephen Tarr, Group Sector Lead – UK Energy and Divisional CEO of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution, Rail and Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick businesses said: “Richard’s experience and in-depth knowledge of major rail project delivery will continue to drive our rail business forward, whilst ensuring safe, high-quality projects for rail users across the UK.”

Richard Watts, incoming Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Rail business, said: “It is an honour to join the Balfour Beatty team at this pivotal time as Great British Railways begins to reshape the industry.

“I look forward to working with Mick and the strong team he has built to help grow and strengthen what is already a fantastic business as we deliver the next chapter of the UK’s rail network.”

Balfour Beatty is one of the leading rail infrastructure providers in the UK, with a 1,500 strong workforce. The company works at the heart of the UK’s rail network – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways which connect communities. Managing the entire lifecycle of a project, the company delivers complex works efficiently and to a consistently high standard.  

The company was recently reappointed as a key delivery partner on Network Rail’s eight-year Supply Chain Services’ framework, to supply, operate and maintain a fleet of high-performance tamping machines to support track renewal and maintenance projects across England, Scotland and Wales.