Joseph (“Josie”) Gallagher is the Founder and Group Chairman of Joseph Gallagher Limited, a leading UK-based civil engineering and tunnelling contractor established in 1982.

With over four decades of industry experience, he has played a pivotal role in developing the company from a small, family-run business into a major infrastructure group delivering complex projects across the UK and internationally.

Under his leadership, the organisation has built a strong reputation for technical expertise in tunnelling, specialist engineering, and large-scale infrastructure works, contributing to nationally significant projects such as rail, utilities, and urban development schemes.

As Group Chairman, Gallagher remains actively involved in guiding the company’s strategic direction, maintaining its family-led values while supporting continued growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Chief Executive Officer at Joseph Gallagher Group, Steve oversees the company’s strategic direction and drives the ongoing growth of one of the UK’s foremost specialist civil engineering contractors. A qualified civil engineer, Steve joined the Group in 2011 and has been instrumental in broadening its presence both across the UK and internationally.

He places strong emphasis on technical excellence, innovation, and effective risk management, leading the successful delivery of complex infrastructure projects while upholding the Group’s reputation for safety, quality, and reliability.

Recognised for his clear strategic outlook, he excels in building and leading high-performing teams and remains committed to delivering engineering solutions that respond to the changing needs of clients and communities.

Paul Gallagher serves as Group Managing Director at the Joseph Gallagher Group, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s operational performance and supporting the delivery of its long-term strategic objectives. As part of the senior leadership team, he plays a key role in ensuring the effective coordination of the Group’s specialist services across the UK and international markets.

With extensive experience within the business, Paul has contributed to the continued growth and diversification of the Group, helping to strengthen its position as a leading provider of tunnelling, civil engineering, and specialist construction solutions. He is closely involved in driving operational excellence and maintaining the high standards of safety, quality, and efficiency that underpin the organisation’s reputation.

Paul is a strong advocate of the Group’s core values and its “LIFE” (Living Incident Free Everyday) culture, promoting a collaborative and safety-first approach across all projects. His leadership reflects a commitment to delivering practical, innovative solutions while supporting the development of high-performing teams and fostering long-term relationships with clients, partners, and communities.

Claire, Commercial Director at the Joseph Gallagher Group, where she is responsible for leading the commercial function and overseeing financial governance, contract strategy, and risk management across the Group’s portfolio of projects. As a key member of the senior leadership team, she plays an integral role in aligning commercial performance with the organisation’s broader strategic objectives.

With extensive experience within the business, Claire has developed a strong understanding of the commercial and contractual complexities associated with large-scale civil engineering and infrastructure projects. She is instrumental in ensuring robust cost control, and the successful negotiation and delivery of contracts across the Group’s operations in the UK and international markets.

Claire is committed to maintaining the highest standards of commercial discipline, safety, and quality, while supporting sustainable growth and long-term client relationships. Known for her collaborative leadership style and attention to detail, she works closely with operational teams to drive performance, manage risk, and deliver value-focused engineering solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients and stakeholders.

John O’Dwyer, Contracts Director at the Joseph Gallagher Group, where he is responsible for overseeing the delivery of major contracts and ensuring the successful execution of projects across the Group’s specialist civil engineering and tunnelling operations. As a member of the senior leadership team, he plays a key role in aligning project delivery with the company’s strategic and operational objectives.

With extensive experience in contract management within the construction and infrastructure sector, John brings a strong focus on programme delivery, commercial control, and risk management. Since joining the Board in 2015, he has contributed to maintaining the Group’s high standards of performance across complex and technically demanding projects.

John is committed to ensuring that projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards, while supporting collaboration between commercial and operational teams. Known for his practical, solutions-focused approach, he plays an integral role in driving consistent project outcomes and reinforcing the Group’s reputation for reliability and engineering excellence.

Chris became a Non-Executive member of the board in 2020. He had previously worked for HSBC as Deputy Head of Corporate Banking in London Central.

Having qualified in 1985, Chris is a longstanding Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He worked for Midland Bank and thereafter HSBC Group for 42 years.

Chris brings valuable insight through both his financial knowledge, and via his experience of working alongside leaders of many mid-market and large corporate businesses across his banking career.

Commercial Director at Joseph Gallagher, leading commercial strategy across complex infrastructure and civil engineering projects in the UK and internationally. 

With over 35 years of experience in commercial management, contract delivery, and business leadership, Tony brings a results-driven approach to high-value projects across the sector.

Committed to operational excellence and commercial integrity, Tony ensures robust risk management, client engagement, and commercial governance. He fosters a collaborative, performance-focused culture, driving value, efficiency, and long-term growth across the business.

Martin joined Joseph Gallagher as Group Finance Director in 2022, having previously held a number of senior finance roles within the construction industry.

Martin trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, qualifying in 1989 and has 40 years accounting and finance experience across a range of sectors.

Martin brings financial insight and discipline to all the Group’s activities, ensuring accurate and timely financial and management reporting to support the Group’s strategic development and operational decision-making.  Martin is also responsible for managing the Group’s ongoing finance and cash flow requirements.