Mr Festa, who re-joins Grontmij after 11 years with WSP, is a specialist in energy and environmental design. He has previously worked on major projects including the Emirates Stadium, Heart of Doha in Qatar and the RBS head office in Edinburgh.
He will now be responsible for further growing Grontmij’s building services division, where a series of new contracts has already seen the company make a number of other appointments at various levels during 2011.
Mr Festa’s appointment is the eighth new appointment to Grontmij’s building services team since New Year, while the expertise area also plans to appoint three further consultants and four graduates in the coming months to strengthen its team at all levels.
Geoffrey Palmer, Grontmij’s director of building services, said: “After a very challenging period, there are strong signs that the market is gathering pace once more.
“That’s one of the reasons we were able to go out and target a man of Gio’s calibre, and I’m sure that with him on board we will be able to grow even further.”
Mr Festa said: “I spent a number of very happy years with Roger Preston & Partners which was since acquired by and rebranded to Grontmij at the start of my career. When they asked whether I would consider returning as operations director, I already knew I’d fit right in.
“With interest in the market picking up as well, this was also the right time for a move and I’m excited about helping Grontmij to strengthen and grow in the months and years to come.”
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Notes for editors:
Grontmij, formerly Roger Preston & Partners, is a professional consultancy of engineers and specialist technologists, experienced in projects of every type and scale around the world. Grontmij’s building services experts provide authoritative engineering advice and are renowned for creative solutions that satisfy demanding business objectives, whilst respecting people and the environment. The consultancy operates a number of core values that centre on unobtrusive engineering and sustainable design, coupled with appropriate innovation, as well as managing risk.