Wilde, who rose through the ranks at Seddon Construction over 18 years to become regional director,was head hunted to run Robertson’s expanding north west division out of its Oldham office.

He has joined as regional managing director with plans to grow the regional business’s annual turnover from £18m to £55m in the next five years.

Wilde said: “Robertson is a massive name north of the border and it has ambitions to become just as big in England. And I believe that we can do that.

“My appointment is one of a few recent senior hires in the north of England, which shows just how serious the business is about sustainable growth.

“We’re already winning work that would have in the past, gone to someone else. But it’s coming to us because we have the right people in place with the correct expertise.

Wilde will develop new business relationships in the private and public sectors as well as ensure the Robertson name features on related business frameworks.”