Our Executive Leadership Team
Our Leadership Team look after 1,000 directly employed professionals located throughout the UK, specialising in water, power, infrastructure and technology solutions, supported by integrated office-based functions.

Andrew Cowan
CEO
Andrew was appointed as CEO of Ipsum in October 2024.
After starting his early career in Norweb Electricity and subsequently United Utilities, he has over 25 years of experience in the Utilities Sector where he previously held Senior Director roles across regulated and non-regulated Electricity, Water and Gas businesses, both across the UK and overseas.
His experience includes several Board level roles covering Large Infrastructure Programmes, Asset Management, Operations, Service Delivery, and M&A in a range of FTSE listed, privately owned, PPP and JV companies, working both on the client side and as a service provider.
He was a Director of MAG Group, the largest UK owned airport company, where he held roles as CEO of both Manchester and London Stansted Airports. Prior to that he was the Group CEO of Robertson Group a large privately owned infrastructure, construction and services group.

Mathew Vaughan
Chief Finance Officer
Mathew has a background working in a number of industries and in different corporate environments. He has extensive experience of M&A activities, business improvement and funding, which has been obtained from a wide-ranging career.
After starting in practice, he worked for Innospec, a NASDAQ-listed chemicals business. Subsequently, he took a CFO role for a private equity backed company, firstly leading them through an exit and then working to integrate the back office functions into the new parent company, Tata Chemicals. His experience also includes working for UK listed company Norcros plc through a period of growth and acquisition prior to an operational finance role at a multi-region housebuilder.

Simon Traylen
Business Development Director
Simon is an experienced Business Development professional with over 26 years’ experience in the utility and construction sectors, spanning tunnelling, gas, water, electric, telecoms, renewables. His work encompasses traditional and modern methods including digital technologies such as ‘Digital Twins’ and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Simon joined Ipsum from Costain Group where he was undertaking a Business Development transformation role by bringing together a matrix of strong business capabilities to focus business development efforts in line with new business strategies.
Previously he had undertaken similar transformation roles with Morrison Utility Services, Grundfos and Xylem and is very familiar with growth techniques that align with customer needs.
Simon is responsible for combining our matrix capabilities and strengths to develop robustly and focused Business Development plans that align with Ipsum strategic growth plan for the coming years.

Lee Maxwell
Managing Director Power
A chartered electrical engineer and has worked in the electricity industry for over 27 years. He started his career with Yorkshire Electricity in 1994 as a Graduate Trainee having studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds.
In the years that followed Lee held a variety of strategic, operational and leadership roles within the group now known as Northern Powergrid. Highlights included 3 years as general manager in their contracting business and latterly he was Director of the DNO Connections business delivering new electricity supplies to customers throughout Yorkshire and the North East.
In 2008 Lee joined United Utilities as a senior operational manager in their electricity services contracting division and shortly after this joined Electricity North West as it reformed as an independent DNO. While at Electricity North West Lee became Energy Solutions Director and had responsibility for the DNO Connections business and the private networks business.
In 2019 Lee Joined UK Power Networks Services where he led on innovation, solution offerings, the development of their ICP business and growth in the north of England.
Having joined Ipsum in April 2021, Lee is Managing Director of the Power division and is leading the integration and growth of the business.

David Foster
Group SHEQ Director
David has 30+ years SHEQ management experience across complex regulated, environments including utilities, construction, highways, rail and public and private sectors.
David is a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CFIOSH). David’s focus is to further develop and enhance our SHEQ management systems, developing and maintaining a rolling three-year Occupational Health and Safety Plan, and behavioural safety initiative / programme, engaging with managers, employees and contractors, and further developing / enhancing the health and safety culture within the business.

Mark Kaney
Managing Director Water & Infrastructure
Over 20 years’ experience and a track record of success in the UK and internationally in the areas of strategic change, digital transformation, portfolio delivery, managing business risk, and regulatory interfaces.
A frequent speaker and contributor at some of the industry’s most prestigious events. He believes that education is essential to the success of future generations, which is why he frequently participates in webinars and interviews to share and discuss industry knowledge and concerns.
Believes that digital adoption is crucial to the success of the Water and wider utility industries, and he will always prioritise digital adoption and a technology-led approach in a company’s methods of operation.
Track record of proactively enabling sustainability and meeting environmental challenges. Mark feels strongly about these issues, which is why he strives ceaselessly to ensure that significant change occurs.
A leader of teams that have won numerous awards, including the Institute of Asset Management’s Digital Innovation and Corporate Transformation awards, and he is a firm believer in building dynamic brands.

Karen Harding
HR Director
Karen is a dynamic and results-focused HR Director with extensive experience of developing and executing HR strategies aligned with business goals to drive organisational growth, employee engagement and operational excellence.
Her proven expertise in talent management, organisational development, transformation and change management, is key to Ipsum’s HR department. Karen utilises her significant experience of M&A integration, and effecting cultural and behavioural change to create a people-focussed offering that supports the business’ operational and functional needs.

Gary Clish
PMO & Improvements Director
Gary has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles across the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Water Utilities industries.
His career began as a Quality Engineering Apprentice at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, where he spent over a decade mastering Japanese production and continuous improvement methodologies. These foundational skills shaped his professional journey, leading to progressive roles such as Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Framework and Contract Director within the Water and Power Utilities.
In the utilities sector, Gary has held senior roles overseeing operational performance, driving regulatory compliance, optimising asset management, and leading transformative initiatives to enhance efficiency and sustainability. His leadership has played a supporting role in modernising infrastructure, improving service delivery, and ensuring long-term operational resilience.
An energetic and results-driven leader, Gary is passionate about driving operational improvements and enterprise-wide transformation. With a Six Sigma Black Belt and a forward-thinking mindset, he applies a fresh perspective to the Utilities sector, leveraging data-driven strategies to achieve significant and sustainable improvements.

Dale Makin
Group IT Director
Dale has over 20 years of experience delivering technology solutions across a range of industries. He began his career in engineering roles at Thus plc in the MSP/ISP sector before moving into senior positions in regulated industries, including gambling with Barcrest Group and IGT. Dale later became Director of Global Infrastructure Engineering at Global Eagle, working within the Aviation and Maritime sectors, and Group IT Director at Romac Group, where he built the IT function and led their Digital Transformation.
His expertise spans Infrastructure, Networks, Cyber Security, and Compliance, with a focus on practical, business-aligned solutions. Dale has also successfully managed Mergers & Acquisitions, integrating systems and processes to support business growth. Now Group IT Director at Ipsum, he is committed to innovation, operational resilience, and driving digital strategies that meet today’s challenges.

Chris Craine
Commercial Director
Chris is an experienced and enthusiastic commercial leader with a proven track record of delivering value across multiple industries.
Passionate about both people and performance, he focuses on building high-performing teams that drive meaningful business improvements.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Chris transitioned into commercially focused roles in the utilities sector. He began his Commercial career at an energy supplier, where he led teams responsible for pricing strategy, risk management, and new product development.
Now the Commercial Director at Ipsum, he is responsible for shaping and growing a commercial function that supports the company’s strategic growth ambitions.

Daniel Cichocki
Corporate Strategy & Development Director
Daniel was appointed Ipsum’s Corporate Strategy & Development Director in March 2025.
He is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) and commenced his career with multi-national professional services company, PwC.
Between 2004-2018, Daniel’s role was Corporate Finance adviser to Private Equity, entrepreneurial and corporate clients providing strategic and commercial advice on M&A (buy-outs, bolt-on acquisitions and disposals) and capital raising events, whilst working for PwC and Deloitte.
In 2018, Daniel moved into Investment Banking holding senior positions with US (KBW, FT Partners and Oppenheimer) and UK (Deutsche Numis) Investment Banks.
During his professional career, Daniel has advised on over £15bn M&A and capital raising events spanning £50m – £1bn in Enterprise Value.
Daniel’s role at Ipsum encompasses responsibility for leading Ipsum’s inorganic growth strategy and collaborating with Ipsum’s Executive Leadership Team in developing Ipsum’s corporate strategy.