Kier strengthens infrastructure team with senior Costain appointment

Kier has appointed a senior commercial leader from Costain as part of efforts to strengthen its infrastructure division and enhance its capability across major projects.

Craig Message has joined Kier Infrastructure as Commercial Director after spending almost 15 years at Costain, where he progressed through a number of senior commercial and leadership roles, most recently serving as Commercial Director for the company’s water sector operations.

His appointment brings significant experience in delivering complex infrastructure programmes, including major involvement in the Thames Tideway project through the CVB joint venture. During his time on the scheme, he advanced into senior commercial leadership positions overseeing large-scale delivery and cost management.

The move comes as major contractors across the infrastructure sector continue to place increased emphasis on commercial resilience, risk management and tighter cost control amid ongoing market pressures and rising project complexity.

Message originally began his career as an apprentice quantity surveyor in 2011 before steadily progressing into senior management roles within Costain’s infrastructure business.

Kier said the appointment will further strengthen its commercial expertise as it continues to deliver projects across transport, utilities and wider infrastructure markets.

The recruitment also reflects continued competition across the sector for experienced commercial leadership talent, particularly within areas such as water, energy and major civils programmes where long-term investment pipelines remain strong.

Kier Infrastructure has been actively expanding its capabilities across several strategic sectors, with the business continuing to target opportunities linked to nationally significant infrastructure investment and long-term framework programmes.