New leadership at Ancora Group further strengthens marine civils capability in the UK

Simon joins Ancora Group with significant experience leading the profitable growth and transformation of several businesses, including EC Harris, Arcadis, GHD and most recently M Group. His immediate focus is on identifying growth opportunities across all the group companies, while also ensuring they continue to deliver exceptional technical solutions for clients.

Richard Sanders, Chairman of Ancora Group said, “Simon adds significant strategic capability and pragmatic leadership to a business that has many opportunities and is served by a team with great expertise. Together, the group is much more than the sum of its parts and Simon will help us to maximise this fantastic potential.”

Ancora Group acquired TMS Maritime, Hesselberg Erosion Protection and Marine Plant Hire in March 2025 through an investment by Sullivan Street Partners, with the group focusing on delivering complex multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects across the UK's coastlines, inland waterways and ports with their specialist marine, erosion protection and civil engineering solutions.

The group’s services have seen a dramatic increase in demand as people start to think differently about how they manage the UK’s coastlines and critical infrastructure, and the business expects to grow significantly over the next decade alongside the accelerating impact of climate change and ageing Victorian infrastructure.

Simon Light said, “Ancora brings together highly complementary specialist businesses with deep marine and civil engineering expertise at a time when resilient infrastructure has never been more vital. As a Group, we have a clear opportunity and responsibility to set the standard in our sector. By combining technical depth with disciplined execution and strong leadership, we will deliver infrastructure solutions that safeguard communities and create lasting value. I am proud to be joining Ancora at this formative moment in its journey.”

Notes to editors

Images can be downloaded here.

About Ancora Group

Ancora Group is a UK-based marine infrastructure services leader delivering design engineering, construction, installation and long‑term maintenance for coastal, inland water and marine environments. Bringing together three specialist companies, the Group provides integrated solutions that protect communities, connect regions, and sustain natural environments. With capabilities spanning marine civils, erosion protection and specialist marine plant, Ancora supports complex projects across the UK, Europe and beyond. The Group maintains strong, long‑standing relationships with water utilities, harbour authorities, tier‑one contractors, and environmental agencies.

For more information, visit www.ancoramarine.com