Cutler will take up the reins as managing director of its regional construction and civil engineering business at the end of January, replacing Mike Peasland.

He joins the troubled division as it works through several problem contracts but also reports an upturn in work, particularly in civils projects.

Cutler, 44, was chief executive at Barhale for the past three and a half years.

Previous to that he was managing director of Morgan Est, after 15 years with Tarmac Construction in a range of senior positions.

Balfour Beatty’s regional business, which delivers projects ranging in value from £100,000 to £100m, currently stands at a turnover of £1.8bn.

The business is now arranged around four regional hubs in Manchester, Edinburgh, London and Bristol and 17 delivery units across the UK and Ireland.

The group’s four regional directors – Mark Farrah (North and Midlands); Neil Patterson (London and South East); Bill Kingwill (South West); and Murray Easton (Scotland and Ireland) – will report directly to Cutler.

Nicholas Pollard, Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK Chief Executive Officer said: “Mark’s extensive experience will lead our regional business forward to enable our teams to build on established customer relationships, drive operational efficiency and increase our profitable order book.

“Mark’s arrival is well timed, coinciding with the increased volumes of regional construction and civil engineering activity being procured by a wide range of customers across different sectors.”