Wayne Johnston has announced that he is stepping down as CEO of the UK's leading road safety and highway markings specialist, WJ Group, after leading the company from a small local contractor into a huge player in the roads industry.
Mr Johnston will be replaced by Chris Southgate later this year, who joins the business from M&J Evans Construction, a groundworks and civil engineering company where he has been chief executive since June 2020.
In a press statement, WJ Group said that Mr Johnston will step away from the day to day running of the business but will remain involved and 'continue to support the senior leadership team while focusing on innovation and WJ's international strategy'. He will also remain a Board member and co‑owner of WJ Group.
Mr Johnston, founder of WJ Group, said: 'WJ has been my life's work for nearly 40 years, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built together. As we look toward the future, our ambitions demand that we strengthen and evolve our leadership.
'Chris is an exceptional fit for WJ — he brings deep sector expertise, strong values alignment, and a passion for developing colleagues and businesses. I am excited about this next chapter and look forward to supporting Chris as he leads WJ into its future.'
Established in 1987, WJ now operates across the UK and international markets, delivering critical road infrastructure solutions. It also has a strong reputation for innovation, bringing many new products and services to the UK market, often through in-house processes.
Mr Southgate added: 'I am honoured to be joining WJ, a business with a remarkable heritage and a vital purpose. Wayne and the team have built a strong, values‑driven organisation that makes a genuine difference to road users and communities. I look forward to working with colleagues across WJ to continue delivering excellence for our customers while helping shape the next phase of the company's growth.'
Highways editor Dominic Browne recently wrote about WJ Group's phenomenal success following a visit to one of the group's depots. You can read the write-up on page 20-21 of Highways December/January issue. Click here to access a FREE digital copy.
