The new “alliance organisation” will operate under the Fulcrum brand and be run by a joint Board.

Fulcrum staff will concentrate on technical know-how and utility infrastructure design expertise while McNicholas cwill ontribute logistics, mobilisation and operational delivery support across gas, electricity and multi-utility connection works.

Fulcrum CEO Martin Donnachie said: “The new alliance structure allows for the removal of any element of duplication between Fulcrum and the work of McNicholas as our alliance partner and will deliver improvements in efficiencies and customer service.

“Customers have told us they want simple, clear lines of communication and consistent ownership of their projects.

“This working alliance allows us  to provide customers  with a single allocated Project Engineer during project planning, who will supervise and control their project’s delivery.”

McNicholas CEO Barry McNicholas, who joins the “Alliance Board” to contribute to leading the new partnership said: ”Formalising an even closer bond under the Fulcrum banner will provide alignment of our business goals and consistency of delivery for our utility infrastructure clients across England and Wales”.

McNicholas was selected by Fulcrum last month as its sole alliance partner for gas, electricity and multi-utility connection works.

Barry McNicholas added: “We are operating very successfully under a similar alliance with Phoenix Natural Gas in Northern Ireland and, based on our experience of that alliance, we believe that customers will be major beneficiaries.

“Collaborative working will galvanise an already excellent working relationship established with Fulcrum over many years.”