The Enquirer understands Pyper will take up his new role as Regional Director, Contracting South at Tarmac next month.

He will report directly to managing director of Tarmac’s contracting business Paul Fleetham.

Earlier this month Tarmac announced the acquisition of civils specialist JB Riney in a bid to boost its presence in the London highways market.

One sector expert said: “Tarmac swooped after seeing rivals like FM Conway pick up a succession of road maintenance and surfacing contracts in the capital.

“Now they have poached a major figure from Conway so their strategy seems pretty clear.”