Staff were told on Monday afternoon that Behan will be taking up his new role from August 1.
He joins from J Murphy & Sons after nearly five years as group chief financial officer and a stint as interim CEO.
Barhale is on track for record figures this year and a new Group Holding Board has been established on which Behan will sit working alongside Dennis Curran, Andy Flowerday and Noel Hanley.
Behan said: “Barhale is a modern business underpinned by enduring values, which have earned the company reputation and trust amongst all its stakeholders.
“The company is known to me as a first class performer, highly regarded by clients and I have first-hand experience of Barhale as a progressive Joint Venture partner over several years.
“I am extremely pleased to be joining such a customer focused, safety-embedded, innovative and responsible business and I am fully committed to the values and the Barhale 3 Pillars sustainability model, which will ensure lasting growth and success.”
Barhale Chairman Dennis Curran said “I am delighted that Matthew has agreed to join us as we
enter the next exciting stage of the Barhale Group’s growth and development.
“We have taken the opportunity to review the corporate structure to meet our future needs, having spent the last two years successfully consolidating our position and securing a long term order book.
“The Barhale Five Year Strategic Plan is built around the need to broaden our portfolio into the Energy, Transport and Built Environment sectors, whilst continuing to deliver frontier performance for our existing Water sector customers.
“Matthew will be actively involved in finalising the plan and assume overall responsibility for its effective implementation.’’