Hartnett joined the business in 2015 from Lendlease where he was a senior construction manager.

He worked his way up taking several senior roles before becoming operations director of the construction arm three years ago.

As part of the rejig Phil Brown, a former Lendlease commercial manager, is promoted to the board in the role of surveying director.

Group managing director Jeremy Hartley said: “With a change of leadership under John Hartnett and Phil’s appointment further strengthening the board, we’re taking the opportunity now to respond to a very changed world and reshape the business to ensure it remains resilient and future-proofed to meet the continuing operational and commercial challenges which face the construction sector as a whole.

“Phil has a great deal of commercial expertise which will be invaluable as we deal with the economic challenges post-Covid.

“Despite all the issues 2020 has thrown at us, our construction team has delivered over £60m worth of key projects on time or ahead of schedule during the summer which is a remarkable achievement.”

He added: “John’s decision to retire is part of a planned succession programme and we are extremely grateful to him that he delayed his departure to the end of the year to support his team through the disruption of Covid.”

Hartnet said “We have in place a resilient and robust business structure which will take Eric Wright Construction through the next stage of its evolution.

“We have a great deal of repeat business from external customers and collaborate with many of the other group businesses including Maple Grove Developments and One Partnership.”

Eric Wright Construction, which was founded in 1979 by Mr Eric Wright, was the original business within what is now the Eric Wright Group.

This now includes Civil Engineering, Healthcare, Water, Facilities Management, Maple Grove Developments and residential development arm Applethwaite Homes.