A deeper dive: catching up with Jon Neville, Walker Sime’s new MD

Taking on the role of Managing Director is a big moment for anyone. For Jon Neville, it’s more than a title. It’s about people, values, and a shared vision for the future. We spent some time with Jon to get his take on leadership, culture, and where Walker Sime is headed next.

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You’ve been with Walker Sime for just over a year, and now you’re leading the business. How does that feel?

It’s an absolute privilege. From the moment I joined Walker Sime, I could see that this was a business with a great culture, strong values, and fantastic people. To now have the opportunity to build on that success and lead us into the next phase is incredibly exciting.

This isn’t just a job to me – it’s about making a difference. I want to make sure we continue to be a business that people are proud to be part of, whether that’s as a colleague, a client or a partner.

What kind of leader are you? What can people expect from you?

First and foremost, I’m a people person. I’ve worked in this industry for over 20 years, and what I’ve learned is that the best businesses put people first. Employees, clients, partners – it’s about relationships.

I don’t believe in leadership being about one person at the top making all the decisions. This is our business, not my business. I want to listen, collaborate, and bring people along on the journey. That means open communication, clear direction, and a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.

I’m also big on strategy and vision. I love the challenge of mapping out where we want to be and figuring out how we get there together. But at the heart of it, my job is simple: to create the right environment for our people to thrive, so that our business thrives too.

Culture seems to be a big focus for you. Why does it matter so much?

Because people make a business what it is. If you don’t invest in your culture, if you don’t take care of your people, it shows – both internally and externally.

Walker Sime already has a great culture. It’s one of the things that drew me here in the first place. We have fantastic technical expertise, strong client relationships, and a team that genuinely cares about the work we do. My focus is on strengthening that even further, creating a business where people feel connected, valued, and excited about the future.

What’s your vision for Walker Sime? Where are we headed?

We’re already a highly respected consultancy, working on some incredible projects in the UK, from transformational regeneration projects like Liverpool Waters and the Wythenshawe Civic Regeneration Master Plan to mega programmes at the forefront of the Net Zero transition, such as the Great Grid Upgrade. Our reputation is built on technical excellence and strong client relationships, and that’s something we’ll never compromise on.

Beyond these, we’re also engaged in a number of major projects that remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements. While we can’t always share the details, what we can say is that our team is trusted to deliver complex, high-impact work for some of the UK’s most forward-thinking organisations, a testament to the strength of our expertise and relationships.

But there’s always room to grow. My vision is for Walker Sime to be the partner of choice in our industry – not just because we deliver great work, but because of how we do it. That means:

• Strengthening our people-first culture
• Investing in talent and leadership development
• Expanding into new markets and sectors
• Focusing on long-term, sustainable growth

It’s about being future-focused while staying true to what makes us great today.

Walker Sime is part of the HanmiGlobal family, with growing international capabilities. What does this mean for the business?

Being part of HanmiGlobal opens exciting new opportunities for us to supercharge our growth. We’ve recently added International, European, and US capabilities, which strengthens our ability to serve clients on a global scale.

At our core, we remain the trusted Walker Sime that clients know and rely on, now bolstered by the strength of a global network. This enhancement allows us to offer broader expertise, increased capacity, and new opportunities for both our clients and our team. Whether supporting international projects or integrating fresh perspectives from global best practices, this next phase of growth positions us as a key player in shaping the future of the UK consultancy market.

You’ve spoken about sustainable growth – what does that mean to Walker Sime?

Sustainable growth goes beyond mere business expansion; it’s about growing the right way, with the right people, and delivering impactful projects that benefit the communities we live and work in. By staying future-focused, we collaborate with clients to develop projects that are built to last, deliver real value, and contribute positively to society. As the UK’s Infrastructure and Real Estate markets evolve rapidly, Walker Sime is uniquely positioned to support and drive this change.

What excites you most about this next chapter?

The opportunity. The potential we have as a business is huge. We have an incredible team, amazing clients, and a really strong foundation to build on.

For me, the most exciting part is knowing that we can shape our own future. We’re not a business that stands still – we evolve, we adapt, and we grow. And if we do it the right way – with a strong culture, clear strategy, and a people-first approach – then the future is very bright.

Finally, what message do you want to share with your team, clients, and partners?

Simple: I’m here to listen, and I’m here to support.

Walker Sime is on an exciting journey, and I want every member of our team, every client and every partner to feel valued, empowered and part of something truly special.

Your voice matters. Your success matters. Together, we have the opportunity to create something meaningful – something that drives real impact.

Let’s build the future, together.

Want to connect with Jon?

Jon is open to conversations, collaboration, and new opportunities. Reach him on jneville@walkersime.co.uk or connect with him on LinkedIn.

For nationwide multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, including Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Infrastructure Services, Regeneration Delivery, Construction Design Management, Bills of Quantities and more, call us on 0161 872 9955, email hello@walkersime.co.uk or message us here.