Meet the Knights Brown team

Our people

We are a team of 300 dedicated individuals. Our leadership and divisional management teams support our operational staff on site.

Select team:

The Leadership Team

Southern & South East Division

The Leadership Team

KEVIN VALENTINE

Group Managing Director

Email Kevin

01425 472241

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Dedicated to leading Knights Brown and pinpointing our strategic direction. Kevin is firmly focused on getting the best from people and drawing on his operational and work winning experience to grow and develop the business.

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

AT WORK:

Having joined Knights Brown in 2013 as Divisional Director, Kevin succeeded Guy Hardacre as MD in 2019 prior to taking on the new role of Group Managing Director in September 2025. Having served as Vice Chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Southern) for two years, he is now Chair of the association..

AT HOME:

Family, friends, travel, cycling, skiing and treasurer of Blandford United FC.

ANDREW EILBECK

Divisional Managing Director

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01656 667601

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Andrew first joined Knights Brown in 2009. He served as Divisional Director for Wales & Energy from 2014 prior to being appointed as Divisional Managing Director in September 2025.

BEng Civil Engineering

AT WORK:

Andrew leads by example and is intent on bringing talent into the business through a focused graduate recruitment and apprenticeship programme. He is Vice Chair of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Wales) and sits on the RUK Cymru Strategy Group.

AT HOME:

Family, rugby, youth football team, trumpet, friends and good food.

DARREN WOOTTON

Commercial Director

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01425 472241

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A Knights Brown strategist, Darren is also our gate keeper and chief expert in all commercial matters.

A chartered surveyor of 25 years (MRICS).

AT WORK:

Joining Knights Brown in 2011 as Commercial Director, Darren values building strong team relationships and the art of negotiation.

AT HOME:

Family, home, golf, garden, good food and wine.

MIKE CROOK

Divisional Director | Southern & South East

Email Mike

01425 472241

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Leading our Southern & South East Division with tenacity and commitment, Mike is a passionate advocate of our workforce on the ground and the skills and experience they bring to our business.

AT WORK:

Champion of our civil engineering groundworks apprenticeship, Mike is enthusiastic about nurturing new talent and growing the division.

AT HOME:

Friends, family, food, music, supporting conservation near his New Forest home.

TIM WALLER

Divisional Director | Wales

Email Tim

07780 431540

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STEVEN PRICE

Divisional Director | Energy

Email Steven

07818 432354

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SIMON OSBORNE

Divisional Director | Water

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01656 667601

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Simon joined Knights Brown in February 2026 as Divisional Director for Water. He leads our dedicated Water Division, overseeing delivery across key AMP8 frameworks and works as part of the wider Leadership Team to support our sustainable growth in the water sector.

AT WORK:

He brings his water expertise and wider general experience to help grow the Water Division. He has a keen interest in nurturing talent, championing graduates and all-things STEM.

AT HOME:

Family, friends, rugby, bees, classic car. Trustee for a Multi Academy Trust and actively involved in Avalon Camps Charity.

PHILIP CROZIER

Finance Director

Email Philip

01425 472241

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Philip applies his financial expertise to safeguard the company and drive us towards our long-term goals.

Chartered Accountant (ACA) for 25 years.

AT WORK:

Philip's expertise lies in financial strategy, forecasting, analysis, reporting and corporate governance. He has built a strong team focused on supporting our site teams since joining the business in 2018.

AT HOME:

Family, church, the outdoors and climbing.

SARAH WHITTLE

People & Talent Director

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01425 472241

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As a strategic contributor, Sarah's focus is on enhancing our culture, creating opportunities and inspiring our people.

A chartered people professional of 20 years.

Mental health first aider.

AT WORK:

Joining Knights Brown in 2018, Sarah leads her team supporting our people and the strategic direction of the business.

AT HOME:

Family, friends, fitness, great food and a good book.

GUY HARDACRE

Director

Email Guy

01425 472241

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Our much-respected and appreciated former managing director, we continue to benefit from Guy's involvement at Knights Brown in a part time capacity.

BSc Civil Engineering

Chartered Civil Engineer

AT WORK:

Assisting with the strategic direction of the business, Guy's technical ingenuity is also brought to bear through his advice on selected projects.

AT HOME:

Husband, Father and Grandfather. Active. Cycling, walking, travelling.

MARTIN ROBERTS

Head of HSQE

Email Martin

07879 812142

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Martin joined Knights Brown in 2023 and leads his team of HSQE advisors with a sense of purpose and determination. He is focused on providing health and safety leadership and raising standards.

AT WORK:

As a qualified health & safety professional of 20+ years, Martin is committed to providing strategic leadership, pushing to raise standards across the board and implement improvements to company processes and procedures.