Linesight appoints John Butler as CEO, succeeding Paul Boylan

Linesight has appointed John Butler as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2027, as the global construction consultancy enters its next phase of growth.

Butler will succeed Paul Boylan, who will remain involved with Linesight as Group CEO of IPS-Integrated Project Services (IPS). He will continue to lead the wider group, which includes IPS, Linesight and Springtide. The group has more than 4,500 employees and generates approximately $2 billion in net revenue.

Butler has spent 25 years with Linesight, holding leadership roles across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Over the past 15 years, he has led the development of Linesight’s APAC and Middle East business, growing it from a small team to more than 600 employees across 10 offices and eight markets.

The region now supports several of Linesight’s largest global clients, including four of the top 10 technology companies in the Fortune Global 500. It has also delivered more than 200 data centre projects across 15 countries.

Linesight has expanded significantly under Boylan’s leadership, growing from 20 offices and 700 employees in 2021 to 44 offices across 30 countries and more than 2,500 employees today. The company has recorded annual revenue growth of between 15% and 24% during this period and expects continued double-digit growth over the next three years.

As CEO, Butler will focus on expanding Linesight’s global presence, strengthening its capabilities and building high-performing and diverse teams as client requirements evolve.

Commenting on the appointment, Boylan said Butler has a “deep understanding” of the business, its people and clients, adding that his experience scaling Linesight across international markets positions him to lead the company through its next phase.

Butler said he began his career at Linesight as a graduate and highlighted the company’s expertise, client relationships and people as key strengths. He added that the business has an opportunity to strengthen its capabilities and expand its reach in markets where clients are investing and growing.

As part of the leadership transition, Scott Halyday will succeed Butler as Managing Director, APAC and the GCC, also effective January 1, 2027. 

Based in Singapore, Halyday joined Linesight in 2018 and brings more than 20 years of experience in complex programmes and client relationships across APAC and international markets.

In his new role, Halyday will oversee Linesight’s APAC and GCC operations across eight markets, covering clients in data centres, life sciences, high-tech industrial and commercial sectors.

The leadership changes will take effect on January 1, 2027.