Smith left Morgan Sindall last November in a boardroom shake-up that saw John Morgan back in the seat as group chief executive after 10 years as chairman.

Smith will work alongside current Willmott Dixon Support Services CEO Chris Durkin as part of a planned transition that will eventually see him become Divisional Chief Executive when Durkin retires from the role at the end of this year.

The appointment of Smith is the culmination of a long-term process to find a successor for Durkin who has over thirty years’ service with Willmott Dixon.

He will remain contact with the firm as a non-executive director at Support Services.

Prior to Morgan Sindall, Smith was previously Managing Director at Accord Group.

He will lead the division from 2014 when he will also join the main Willmott Dixon board.

Willmott Dixon Group Chief Executive Rick Willmott said: “This is a plan that we have been working towards for some time.

“It’s not an easy task to find the right person to replace Chris, however in Paul we have found an ideal candidate and he’ll work closely with Chris and I as COO this year to ensure a seamless transition to Divisional Chief Executive.

“Given his previous track-record, it is great news that we have acquired the services of Paul to oversee the next phase of Support Services’ growth; he is a fine addition for the Group and I am looking forward to working with him.

“I’m also pleased we’ll retain Chris’ experience as a non-executive director at Support Services once Paul becomes Divisional Chief Executive next year, he has made a huge impact to the growth of Willmott Dixon over the past three decades and leaves a strong legacy for us.”