The contract has been awarded through the University’s £250m building framework where Balfour competes on major jobs with Bouygues, Kier, John Graham Construction, Morgan Sindall and ISG.

Balfour Beatty will start work this month on the 7,500 square metre teaching and research facility.

At construction peak the project will employ a workforce of over 150.

Jonathan Winter, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in the South of England, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to construct the new Health & Life Sciences building which is another example of the significant benefits a collaborative relationship can deliver.

“Our long-standing relationship with the University of Reading, coupled with our extensive experience in delivering higher education projects, supports our mutual goal of providing a first class facility and improved learning experience for more than 17,000 students.”