Oakervee, 69, is one of the country’s most distinguished civil engineers, acting as chairman of Crossrail from December 2005 to May of last year.

The past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers is joined by its current president Dr Jean Venables who also earned a CBE, the highest honour to be bestowed on construction luminaries this year.

The civil engineers are joined by Christopher Hyman, chief executive officer at Serco, who was the only other industry leader to be awarded a CBE, in his case for services to business and charity.

Ten other industry figures were made OBEs for services related to construction. They are:

• Mark Andrews, former chief executive at NG Bailey, for services to apprenticeships and training.
• Roy Cavanagh, labour and training manager at G and J Seddon, for services to construction.
• Nelson Ogunshakin, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering.
• John Dew, principal construction project manager, Welsh Assembly Government.
• Professor Peter Brandon, former director of strategic programmes at Salford University, for services to the Built Environment.
• David Henderson, managing director, Tobermore Concrete Products for services to the construction industry in Northern Ireland.
• Dr Deborah Smith, director, Building Research Establishment for services to fire safety.
• Michelle McDowell, structural engineering director at Building Design Partnership.
• Richard Ogden, chairman of Buildoffsite.
• David Ralph Hardy, founder of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.