Billingham brings over three decades of business and management experience, including 11 years through the 1990s at Balfour Beatty’s predecessor BICC.

He is currently executive chairman of Punch Taverns – where he will stand down from executive duties later this month – chairman of Anglian Water Group and an HMG appointed non-executive director of Urenco.

Previously he was finance director for over four year at both British Energy Group and WS Atkins.

Chairman Philip Aiken said: “I am delighted that Stephen has agreed to join the Balfour Beatty Board.  He brings immense experience of different industries, including construction and support services, both from the supplier and the client side, as well as having a strong background in finance in several complex organisations.

“Stephen Billingham will be the fifth new director to join in 2015, as we make good progress to strengthen both Balfour Beatty’s Board and executive management.”