Basil Read appoints new top executive

CONSTRUCTION firm Basil Read has appointed former Anglo American Platinum head Neville Nicolau as its chief executive with effect from September 1.

Nicolau will succeed acting chief Des Hughes, who has held the role since Marius Heyns retired at the end of Basil Read's 2013 financial year.

Global Credit Ratings recently warned that one concern about the company had been its lack of permanent appointments to its executive team.

Basil Read still has an interim chief financial officer, Amanda Wightman.

Nicolau's most recent role was as chief executive of Anglo American Platinum from 2008 to 2012. – Nick Hedley