Craig succeeds Sir James Wates who has been chair of the Construction Council for the last three years.

Craig said: “It’s a great privilege to be taking on this role, especially at this critical time for the construction industry.

“We are heading towards a new relationship with the European Union and, although the pandemic has had a well-documented impact, there is also a lot to learn about what the industry can achieve when it is really focused.

“We need to take the best of that learning and make sure it is part of the template for the future of construction.”

Sir James has steered the CBI’s efforts for the construction sector at an unprecedented time, which has included the collapse of the industry’s second-largest construction contractor Carillion, the UK leaving the EU and the current coronavirus pandemic.

CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, said: “In Gregor, the Construction Council has another highly-respected business leader who not only cares passionately about the future of the industry, but the professionalism and wellbeing of UK construction workers, as his own company’s commitment to mental health and diversity shows.

“Skanska is also a market leader in sustainable construction, which will be a defining challenge facing UK construction in the coming decades.”

Graig will formally take over from 1 November and remain in post until December 2023.