The 40-year-old takes over after a decade with the Gloucestershire contractor, replacing Simon Carey, who becomes group chairman after leading the firm since 2004.

Employee Ownership Trust-backed Barnwood employs 230 people across its Construction, Shopfitting & Interiors and General Works divisions and delivered more than 340 projects across the UK last year.

Williams said the company would resist chasing rapid expansion and instead continue its long-standing strategy of organic growth.

“Construction is a difficult business, so we have no grand plans to double in size,” he said. “We’ll do what we have always done, grow organically and take up opportunities as they arise.”

A former accountant, Williams first encountered Barnwood while auditing the business in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

He recalled being struck by the firm’s decision to retain staff despite losses on projects, describing its commitment to employees and suppliers as the reason he joined the company.

Founded in 1962 as Barnwood Builders, the contractor has delivered projects for clients including Spectrum Medical, Hartpury University, Gloucestershire County Council, Renishaw, Safran, Nationwide Building Society and Robert Hitchins at Stroudwater 13.