The move by the £100m revenue regional civils firm follows Highway England’s pledge to utilise more specialist SMEs in the delivery of improvements to the Strategic Road Network.

Jackson’s managing director Brian Crofton said: “As a company, Jackson began its journey as Roadworks 1952 Ltd, so today it gives me great pride to be able to establish a new highways division within the business.”

Over the past 20 years Jackson has built up substantial roads experience in the south east, initially through the South East Framework, MACs and ASCs and more recently the past 10 years as a tier 1 supplier on the Connect Plus M25 Framework.

Crofton said: “Now Jackson is looking to expand its highways coverage across the rest of the Strategic Road Network.

“I know we will continue to grow our influence in this sector and become a key supply partner to Highways England delivering against their values and targets.”

With over 30 years’ experience, Jackson’s existing M25 framework director, Paul Watson, has been appointed highways director to lead the new division.

He said: “Through our recent highways experience we’ve laid the foundations of a highly skilled team to go and deliver work across the rest of the strategic road network.

“Highways England’s delivery plan details the need, and their expectation for SME’s like Jackson to work in a more collaborative and integrated way, which is a really great fit for our business, and our people.”