Keller Regulatory News (KLR)

24 June 2025

Keller Group plc

Directorate update

Further to the announcement on 15 May 2025, the Board of Keller Group plc ('Keller' or the 'Group') announces, with sincere regret, that Michael Speakman, Chief Executive Officer ('CEO'), has given notice that he will step down as CEO and as a director of Keller with effect from 18 August 2025 in order to continue with his necessary medical treatment.

The Board fully respects and supports Michael's decision to step down and extend their immense gratitude to him for his leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the Group over his tenure. Michael will remain employed by Keller on an advisory basis.

Following a comprehensive search process, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of James Wroath as CEO, effective 18 August 2025. James brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, having most recently served as CEO of Wincanton plc. The Board is confident that he will provide strong leadership and strategic direction as the Group continues to deliver its successful growth strategy.

Carl-Peter Forster, Chair of Keller, said:

"On behalf of the Board and the Keller team, I would like to thank Michael for his outstanding leadership and immense contribution to the business since he joined the Group in 2018, initially as CFO, then from 2019 as CEO. During this time he has led the Group through a period of significant growth and development; rationalising the portfolio and improving the project execution across the business, resulting in a substantial uplift in the Group's performance and the delivery of improved returns. Michael steps down with the Group in a strong financial and operational position to continue to pursue its growth opportunities ahead. We wish Michael our very best as he continues his medical treatment."

"We are delighted to announce James as our incoming CEO. He brings the right blend of experience, vision and leadership to take the Group forward, most recently in his role as CEO at Wincanton plc and from his previous senior roles at two major businesses in the US, LSG Group and Kuehne + Nagel Inc. James is a proven FTSE CEO and successfully led Wincanton plc through a period of cultural and operational transformation, leading to the recent sale to GXO Logistics. He brings a strong track record of leading improved performance in geographically dispersed contracting businesses. I look forward to welcoming James to the Board".

There are no further details to disclose under UKLR 6.4.8R.

James Wroath

Until recently James served as CEO of Wincanton plc, a role he held since September 2019, leading one of the UK's largest third-party logistics providers through a phase of growth, innovation, and integration following its acquisition by GXO Logistics. Before joining Wincanton, James held several senior leadership roles in international businesses in the UK and the United States including Head of North America at LSG Sky Chefs (part of Lufthansa AG), a role he held for nearly four years, which involved managing over 13,000 people and $1bn in sales. He has also held leadership positions at Kuehne + Nagel Inc. and Scottish & Newcastle.

Interim results

The Group will announce its results for the six months ending 30 June 2025 on 5 August 2025. A presentation and webcast for analysts and investors, led by David Burke, Chief Financial Officer, will be held on that date.

For further information, please contact:

This notification is made in accordance with UKLR 6.4.6R.

Notes to editors:

Keller is the world's largest geotechnical specialist contractor providing a wide portfolio of advanced foundation and ground improvement techniques used across the entire construction sector. With around 10,000 staff and operations across five continents, Keller tackles an unrivalled 5,500 projects every year, generating annual revenue of c.£3bn.

Cautionary statements:

This announcement contains certain 'forward-looking statements' with respect to Keller's financial condition, results of operations and business and certain of Keller's plans and objectives with respect to these items. 

Forward looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as 'anticipates', 'aims', 'due', 'could', 'may', 'should', 'expects', 'believes', 'intends', 'plans', 'potential', 'reasonably possible', 'targets', 'goal' or 'estimates'. By their very nature forward looking statements are inherently unpredictable, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the economies and markets in which the Group operates; changes in the regulatory and competition frameworks in which the Group operates; the impact of legal or other proceedings against or which affect the Group; and changes in interest and exchange rates. For a more detailed description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors, please see the Principal risks and uncertainties section of the Strategic report in the Annual Report and Accounts. All written or verbal forward looking statements, made in this announcement or made subsequently, which are attributable to Keller or any other member of the Group or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. Keller does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this document should be regarded as a profits forecast. This announcement is not an offer to sell, exchange or transfer any securities of Keller Group plc or any of its subsidiaries and is not soliciting an offer to purchase, exchange or transfer such securities in any jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered, sold or transferred in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act of 1933 (as amended). 

LEI number: 549300QO4MBL43UHSN10 Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information.