The appoint means Simons now has two former Carillion directors at the top after present chief executive Tom Robinson joined Simons himself from Carillion two years ago.

As new Simons group finance director Kasher replaces Christian O’Connell, who left the business last week after four and a half years with the business. 

Kasher spent 15 years at Carillion, first joining as a financial controller of its Monteray North FM business and then rising through the ranks to become finance director of the £1.8bn turnover construction services arm for the last two years.

Comenting on the appointment Robinson said: “Mike has strong business growth experience and a winning track record within the public and private sectors.

“He will build on Christian’s successes, where he added value in shaping the business overhead to allow us to recover healthily post the recession, in reducing our pension deficit and shaping the development of the Group’s five-year business plan, for which we are very grateful.

“I have every confidence that he will be a key driver for the future successes of Simons Group.”