Mace hires Tom Gent and Jon Harris to drive innovation

Tom Gent and Jon Harris were recently appointed to high level roles at Mace, with Gent taking on the new role of Head of Innovation and Harris the role of Head of Building Information Modelling. Both bring more than 20 years’ experience to Mace, and will help Mace by bringing innovative new building techniques to the firm - thereby giving impetus to Mace’s construction and consultancy businesses.

Tom Gent joins Mace from Laing O'Rourke, where he worked as Architectural Leader to its Engineering Excellence Group since 2013. Prior to this, he worked as a Director at Aedas and simultaneously led his own company TGA, which he founded in 2011. Between 2004 and 2011, he worked as Director at Atkins, after a career of 4 years as Associate Director at Benoy between 2000 and 2004 and of Associate at Terry Farrell & Partners from 1997 to 2000. Prior to this, Gent fulfilled the role of architect at Foster and Partners, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and Hopkins Architects Partnership. Gent holds a Bachelor degree in Architecture from Liverpool University.

Gent brings more than 20 years’ experience to his new role as Head of Innovation at Mace. The role is newly created and involves Gent working throughout Mace’s Construction Business to improve construction delivery by driving the firm’s ability to leverage technologies and modern construction methods – thereby improving client outcomes.

Jon Harris also joins Mace with more than 20 years of experience, most recently gained at John Sisk where he worked as Design Leader of Major Projects since 2011. Prior to this, he fulfilled the role of Design Leader & BIM Leader at Laing O'Rourke for 5 years from 2006 onwards. Between 2003 and 2006 he worked as Senior Design Manager for BAA and between 1999 and 2003 as Director Design & Development for Graphisoft. Between 1991 and 1999, he worked for a number of construction and engineering firms, including Drake & Skull, Tarmac Construction, Carillion and Balfour Kilpatrick. From 1988 to 1990, he worked as Contract Project Engineer for AMEC. Harris started his career in 1984 at Veryard & Partners Consulting Engineers as engineering apprentice. Harris holds a Bachelor degree in Building Services from the University of Wales and a Master degree in Construction Management from the University of the West of England.

Commenting on the new hires, Chief Operating Officer for Construction at Mace Gareth Lewis says: “I am delighted to welcome both Tom and Jon to the business, as Head of Innovation and Head of BIM. Mace has consistently looked to innovative new building techniques to make our projects a success. We are constantly striving to pursue a better way of delivering for our clients and I believe that both Tom and Jon will help give real impetus to this philosophy for our construction and consultancy businesses.”