News

Connect Plus Services today announces the appointment of Louise Haining as Managing Director with responsibility for leading its M25 operations.

A Chartered Engineer, Louise has 30 years’ experience within the construction and infrastructure industry. She joined Connect Plus Services (CPS) in 2017 and has since held several roles across the organisation, including Asset and Project Delivery Director, where she was responsible for the adoption of digital asset management and driving further innovation across the business. Most recently, Louise has held the role of Interim Managing Director at CPS focusing on further digital transformation, predictable delivery and long term maintenance decision making across the business.

Louise was instrumental in introducing the digital twin of the M25 in 2020 – a ground-breaking technology which produces highly accurate geo-referenced 2D and 3D outputs, providing over 23 billion data points in the process. The digital mapping of 120 miles of road provides Connect Plus Services with more detailed information to aid planning and decision-making, ultimately reducing the need for physical surveys to be carried out in a live highways environment; therefore improving safety too.

Prior to joining Connect Plus Services she enjoyed a successful career at Costain, the Environment Agency and National Highways, working on schemes including The Hungerford Bridge in London and the Folkestone to Cliff Edge Coastal Protection Scheme in Kent.

Today’s announcement is testament to Connect Plus Services commitment to attracting, training, and retaining its employees to harness the creativity and innovation of a diverse range of people.

Louise Haining, Managing Director of Connect Plus Services, said: “I am delighted to take the helm as Managing Director of Connect Plus Services, leading an incredibly talented team on the M25 – one the UK’s busiest motorways.

“My focus will remain on data as a strategic imperative to prioritise decision making so that we keep the M25 safe and fit for purpose, whilst also continuing to identify ways of reducing delays and improving journey time reliability for the travelling public.”

Phil Clifton, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Highways business said: “Louise has worked with us for many years and has demonstrated time and again, the leadership qualities she possesses.

“I look forward to seeing her flourish in her new role as Managing Director and seeing her wealth of knowledge and expertise drive our asset management capability to deliver value through more predictable and safer journeys.”

Connect Plus Services brings together the collective expertise from Balfour Beatty, AtkinsRéalis and Egis, with responsibility for operating and maintaining the 250-mile M25 motorway network, including routine maintenance, winter maintenance, and managing the whole-life requirement of the network including five tunnels and 2,500 structures such as bridges, culverts, and overhead gantries.

Connect Plus Services operates and maintains the network on behalf of Connect Plus - a consortium including Edge Orbital Holdings Ltd, Balfour Beatty and Egis Investments Partners - which has a 30-year contract with National Highways through a private finance initiative.