He will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operational performance of the employee-owned business with 16,000 staff working across engineering, management and development consultancy.

Haigh’s career with Mott MacDonald goes back to 1981 when he joined as a graduate engineer working on international projects in the water sector.

He developed a strong background in the general management, planning and implementation of large infrastructure projects, with particular expertise in the water sector seeing him become a board director of Mott MacDonald Bentley, a significant design and build JV operating in the water sector.

Most recently Haig was managing director of Mott MacDonald’s Europe and Africa region, which has over 7,000 staff and revenue in excess of £820m.

Keith Howells, Mott MacDonald Group chairman said: “I’ve known Mike since he joined us as a graduate, and I’m delighted to have him running our worldwide operations in his new role as group managing director, building on his experience of managing our Europe, UK and Africa, and Middle East and South Asia businesses.”