Civic picks Miller as first executive chair
Dominic Miller, who has sat on the consultancy’s board as a non-executive director since 2022, will take on the enhanced role as Civic adds firepower in its bid to double in size over the next few years.
Civic, which works on projects including Park Hill in Sheffield and Mayfield Manchester, said that Miller has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s trajectory since he joined the board.
He is described as an experienced corporate strategist and leader with a deep understanding of how successful businesses scale, with expertise in governance, acquisitions and operational efficiency across industries including the pharmaceutical sector – he was a co-founder and COO of medical commercialisation business Fishawack.
Miller said: “Civic means business. It’s rare for a firm of this size to have an executive chair, CFO and non-executive directors. But Civic has never followed convention. We invest in leadership, structure and expertise because we’re serious about long-term impact.
“My role is to ensure that the business is resilient, efficient and primed for sustainable expansion. This isn’t just about financial growth – it’s about extending our reach, empowering our people and making a lasting difference.
“Our leadership structure gives Civic founders Julian Broster and Stephen O’Malley the remit to push forward with confidence, knowing they have a heavyweight board behind them, including Michelle McDowell, who was the first woman to chair the Association for Consultancy and Engineering in its 100-year history.”
Civic operates out of studios in Manchester, London, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin. The group includes Civic Engineers, Civic Earth and Civic Heritage. In October last year, the group acquired placemaking consultancy New Practice.
The Civic board, from left: Miller, Julian Broster, Michelle McDowell, Stephen O’Malley, and CFO Simon Edwards. Credit: via ING
Chief executive O’Malley said: “Having Dominic step into the role of executive chair is a major milestone for Civic. It strengthens our leadership team at a pivotal time, giving us the firepower to push further while staying true to our core values.”
Miller concluded: “The market is responding positively – clients value the breadth of expertise we now offer, and other businesses want to join us. That’s a testament to the momentum Civic is building.
“At Civic, growth isn’t just about revenue. It’s about influence, opportunity and impact. We’re not here to be the biggest – we’re about setting the standard and succeeding by being true to our values. And the more we grow, the more we can do for our clients, our people and the places we help shape.”
