Mark Smith, aged 47, joins with immediate effect and was previously London operations director of one of the country’s largest structural steelwork specialists William Hare.

Before that, for a period of 26 years he was employed by East Midlands specialist D A Green Steel and Cladding, leaving four months before it fell into administration back in October 2010.

Peter Hems, chairman of Billington said: “Mark has worked in the structural steel industry for a considerable number of years and comes with a wide range of experience.

“He will further strengthen our senior management team.”