Chris Wood | Co-Managing Director
A conversation about his career journey, the evolution of Caecillian’s commercial function and the role it plays in supporting the continued growth of the business.
This quarter, we spoke with Chris Wood, Caecillian’s Co-Managing Director, to discuss his career journey, the evolution of the commercial function and the role it plays in supporting the continued growth of the business.
Chris began his career on the Enterprise graduate programme in 2008 as a Graduate Quantity Surveyor, where he first met James Lawton. In 2013, he joined Northern Gas Networks as a Senior Quantity Surveyor before progressing through a number of commercial roles, most recently Commercial Manager. Having joined Caecillian in 2021 as Commercial Director, he has helped shape the commercial function during a period of significant growth. In 2023, Chris and James successfully completed a management buyout, marking an important milestone in the company’s journey.
Today, Chris leads a commercial team of eight, supporting operational teams, clients and supply chain partners across the business. The team’s focus spans estimating, contract management, change management, payments, efficiency, productivity and reporting. Chris believes visibility and data are key to success, explaining that “visibility and data on performance is key so you can focus your attention, but it also supports decision making.”
As the business has grown, so too has the commercial function. A new structure aligned to Caecillian’s business units now provides dedicated commercial support across operational workstreams, helping to improve efficiency and increase focus across the business. “As the business has nearly doubled in three years, it was important the Commercial Team grew too,” says Chris.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Chris is particularly proud of what has been achieved over the last five years. “In 2021 we only had one person in the Commercial Team – me! Now we have a team of eight,” he says. “The journey and achievements we have made are remarkable. We have structure, process and real purpose.” He believes the skillset and expertise within the team make them some of the best people in the industry, setting Caecillian apart from its peers. He adds that the drive, commitment and attitude shown by the team make him proud and that it is a pleasure to be part of.
Looking ahead, Chris remains focused on supporting operational teams in delivery, ensuring the business continues to work efficiently, sharing accurate commercial data and reporting, and strengthening relationships with clients, supply chain partners and the wider industry.
When asked what he enjoys most about being part of the Caecillian journey, his answer is simple: the people. “I truly believe we have the best people in the industry,” he says. “The focus on doing things right and doing it well is evident throughout the business.”
