International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has appointed Suzanne Tearle to lead its specialist defence team. As UK head of defence, she will be instrumental in delivering some of its most high-profile schemes, including the Cost Price Analytical Capability (CPAC) contract for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

Suzanne joins the consultancy from UK WYG, now TetraTech, where she reached the position of group managing director following its restructure. Prior to this, she had been one of the firm’s lead programme directors and spent two years as a senior civil servant, with responsibility for commercial controls improvements at Defence Equipment & Support. Notable projects with which she has been involved include a new Centre of Excellence for the DIO’s Major Projects Directorate, several schemes for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in conjunction with QinetiQ and the role of transformational change director for Surrey and Sussex Police.

Suzanne’s new remit will include the development and evaluation of Gleeds’ profile as a preferred and trusted estates and infrastructure advisor for the defence sector, as well as growing the brand’s presence across its many long standing defence commissions. She will also play a vital role in building new relationships with the MoD and the wider supplier community by demonstrating the business’ project control, change management, and procurement advisory capabilities. 

Douglas McCormick, Group Executive Director at Gleeds, said of her appointment, “The UK’s defence industry makes a major contribution to the country’s overall growth and prosperity, so it’s only natural that we are keen to strengthen our presence in this market. Suzanne has an impressive track record and clearly understands the requirements of stakeholders in this arena which is absolutely essential if we’re going to provide genuine value for money for our clients. I believe she’s going to be a real asset to our team.” 

Suzanne added, “Over the course of my 25-year career I have worked with both private and public sector bodies to create and deliver innovative solutions to complex problems. I look forward to helping to build the defence team at Gleeds, using that in-depth knowledge of the industry to its best advantage. I am sure we can achieve impressive results for clients new and old as the business continues to grow its offering and expand its reach.” 

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Suzanne Tearle

Suzanne Tearle
UK Defence Lead

Julian Barlow

Julian Barlow
PR Consultant