Murray also comes with a long rack record of procurement reform during the 1990s as BAA as development director and Railtrack director of major projects and investment.

More recently he spent over eight year as chairman of civil engineering contractor Geoffrey Osborne.

In his new role, Simon will sit on the Highways Agency Board, taking over the position left by Tracy Barlow earlier this year, as the role of the Highways Agency is under review.

Graham Dalton, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, said: “I am delighted to welcome Simon Murray to the Highways Agency. He has long experience at a strategic level in the delivery and management of transport infrastructure, and I look forward to him bringing this world-class experience to our Board.”