He joins the transport engineering and planning consultant at a pivotal time as it works to integrate multi-disciplinary consultant TSP Projects.

This business was bought from British Steel administrators last month rescuing 400 jobs.

The deal doubled Systra’s size in the UK, cementing its position as a major force in engineering and consultancy for mass transit, mobility and complex infrastructure.

Salt, who joined Galliford Try when it acquired Miller Construction in 2014, was the biggest casualty in the business streamlining following losses on Scottish infrastructure projects.

Before that he worked as Morgan Sindall’s rail services director and Kier’s operations director for rail and engineering services.

Salt will report to former Balfour Beatty chief Andrew McNaughton, who is now chief operating officer of the main French Systra Group and chairman of the UK business.