He replaces Dennis Hone who has retired, having held the job for five years.

Prior to UPP, Bienfait held several senior executive roles in the infrastructure sector. Between 2010 and 2015 he was CEO of Affinity Water, and between 2004 and 2009 he was CFO of Veolia Water in the UK.

He joins after Mace recently restructured its leadership team, appointing a chief executive officer across the company’s four ‘Engines for Growth’: Develop, Consult, Construct and Operate.

Mace’s divisions now have greater autonomy over their strategies, within the framework created by the group board, and Bienfait will lead the group overall financial strategy.

Bienfait said: “I am very excited to work for Mace, a business I have known well as a key supplier for the last 14 years.

“It’s always been important to me that I work with businesses that have a great and clear purpose. Mace is a formidable force in developing sustainable communities. ”