Alium Partners has announced the appointment of Mike Smart as head of its new Aviation & Infrastructure Practice.

Smart is launching Alium's Aviation & Infrastructure Practice. The aviation and infrastructure sectors are both facing further pressure as a result of capacity challenges, intensifying competition, and the requirement for major capital expenditure.

Alium, is a global provider of interim management solutions. The firm places highly experienced interims to provide business solutions to the private and public, from its office in the heart of the City of London.

Smart said:

"It's exciting to join Alium Partners at this important period of transformation within the infrastructure industry as well as the aviation industry's vast economic challenges in delivering successful services globally.

"To maximise their competitive edge for both, they need the very best senior management skills, now, to build and deliver solutions, whether they be in cost management, procurement or new revenue stream identification, for example.  Senior interims are in demand because they are typically very overqualified for the jobs, meaning a risk-free pair of hands can be in place within a matter of days."

Alium Partners Aviation & Infrastructure Practice services all areas of infrastructure including construction, transportation, sustainability, and support services, which complements its work within the aviation sector.

Smart brings over 20 years of international experience as a senior level executive delivering transformational change management programmes across the private and public sectors for aviation and infrastructure organisations. Prior to joining Alium, Mike held a variety of roles at Serco, the FTSE 100 support services and outsourcing provider, following a successful career at Ministry of Defence and Royal Air Force.

Mike Hollin, managing partner at Alium Partners, commented:

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Mike on board as head of Alium's Aviation & Infrastructure Practice.  Mike has a remarkable track record of implementing change management and transformation within both closely related sectors, and his leadership will be instrumental to the future success of the practice."