Kydd joins as health sector managing director, replacing Stuart McArthur, who is stepping down after a decade helping build the contractor’s healthcare operation and its market-leading IHP joint venture with Vinci Building.

He brings more than 20 years of healthcare sector experience to Sir Robert McAlpine. Previously Kydd spent three years at private contractor Wates as director of health and education.

Before that he spent almost eight years as UK head of healthcare at consultant WSP after leaving Balfour Beatty, where he rose to head of healthcare market development during an eight-year stint.

He said: “Sir Robert McAlpine’s healthcare expertise is recognised nationally, as is IHP, the industry-leading joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine. I look forward to building on this strong foundation and capitalising on the opportunities presented by increased investment in the health estate.”

McAlpine’s IHP JV is lined up to deliver the redevelopment of Leighton Hospital in Crewe, which is in the first wave of projects being brought forward under the new hospital programme replacing the RAAC stricken hospital built in the 1970s.

McArthur leaves after helping steer the business through the Covid pandemic and strengthening IHP’s position as one of the UK’s dominant healthcare construction players.

During his tenure, Sir Robert McAlpine and IHP secured major healthcare schemes and won a place in the Hospital 2.0 Alliance, which is leading delivery of the New Hospital Programme’s standardised hospital building strategy.