Helen Samuels, a Chartered Civil Engineer and fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, will join Kier in January, from her current role as CEO of Bibby Marine.

She previously held senior roles in construction, including three years as engineering director for Network Rail’s £6bn per year capital programme up to January this year, where she led the 700 strong multi-discipline design team.

Prior to that, she was engineering director for nearly three years at United Utilities, where she created a new technical authority for full asset lifecycle.

Samuels has also held the role of managing director, Water Europe for CH2MHill – now part of Jacobs.

Liam Cummins, group managing director, Kier Construction said: “Helen’s outstanding engineering, technical and leadership experience and drive will be key to the implementation of our long-term strategy which has technical excellence at its heart.”

Samuels said: “There are huge opportunities to close the productivity gap in the built environment through improved data and design, new technologies and modern methods of delivery.

“I’m looking forward to driving this forward, ensuring Kier is at the forefront of this transformation, working with our fantastic in-house teams as well as establishing strategic relationships with key consultant partners.”