Adams led Birse from a £115m turnover in 2002 to £286m in 2011.

Following the acquisition of Birse by Balfour Beatty in 2006 he became a member of the Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering Board.

Adams will be assisting Managing Director Kevin Rouse in formulating and implementing a strategic plan for future growth.

K Rouse Civil Engineers is a key subcontractor in roads and water related infrastructure, commercial and residential groundworks, civil engineering, and specialist services for the rail, utility and power sectors.

Operating from its Leeds headquarters, its core operational areas are the Midlands and North of England.

Rouse said: “Rob is well known and highly respected throughout the civil engineering world. His experience and knowledge of strategic development in the industry will be of great benefit to us in helping to drive forward the continued growth of the business.”

Adams said: “I am looking forward to assisting this vibrant and forward looking company which has the established foundations and specialist expertise to make an increasing contribution to important infrastructure projects in a wide range of  key sectors in the future.”