Underwood spent five years at Mace where he was business unit director for residential and a member of the construction board.

Roland Pickstock, Chairman of The Pickstock Group, said: “We are really pleased to have Simon as part of the team.

“By 2020 we will be a leading example to the construction industry in off‐site building solutions covering all sectors, providing a real alternative to the traditional on‐site construction process which is facing a substantial skills shortage and shortfalls in customer expectations.

“With Simon’s experience and credentials I’m sure we can achieve this.”

Elements Europe plans to grow the business substantially over the next 5‐10 years to boost the £100m of off‐site solutions installed to date for the hotel, residential, healthcare, education and defence sectors.

Underwood said:  “The long term strategy is to provide a total off‐site solution for buildings across all sectors using design for manufacture and assembly principles.

“Developers, contractors and the Government are crying out for better, safer, more sustainable and certain delivery models.

“Construction needs to move on from last century’s methods.

“Consultants are predicting a capacity shortfall in resource to feed the current construction boom, and Elements Europe will be at the forefront of the solution.”

Elements Europe has recently invested in a manufacturing facility in Telford which has boosted capacity by 266%.

The firm is actively seeking joint venture development opportunities which lend themselves to modular construction throughout the UK.

Underwood said: “Contact us at an early stage in the project, when the potential for off‐site solutions is at its peak.

“We will carry out a detailed review of all off‐site opportunities and advise how buildings can be designed for manufacture and assembly from the outset with indicative costs for appraisal review.

“We will produce a detailed strategy so you can maximise the potential.”