Dowding will take on the former role of Gregor Craig who was recently promoted to president and CEO after Mike Putnam stepped down.

Dowding joined Skanska in 2003 and has been managing director of its facilities management business for the past five years.

She was previously with Tarmac/Carillion for 15 years.

Craig said: “I am delighted to make this appointment.

“Katy enhances the breadth and depth of the executive management team even further, bringing to it her extensive experience of the industry and senior management.”

Dowding joins Craig, Thomas Faulkner, Harvey Francis, Mark Galloway, Kelly Gangotra and Martin Neeson on the executive management team.

The company also announced a number of other senior level appointments which take effect next month.

Adam McDonald succeeds Dowding as managing director of Skanska’s facilities management business, where he has previously held a business improvement position.

McDonald joined the company in 2003 as a graduate. He has also held commercial roles in the company’s building operations and has been Commercial Director for SRW engineering services for the past three years.

Terry Elphick takes on a new role as managing director for Skanska’s work at Battersea Power Station, where the company is preferred bidder for Phase 2.

Cameron Foley succeeds Elphick as managing director of Skanska’s building operations outside London, where he has previously held the role of operations director.

Jon Morris, currently technical director for Cementation Skanska, the company’s piling and foundations business, has been appointed as its managing director on an interim basis, while a permanent successor is found.

Craig said: “Once again we have been able to make these important senior appointments from within Skanska and show the remarkable strength in depth we have in the company.

“It is a clear demonstration of our robust succession planning and our firm commitment to developing our people, providing excellent opportunities for personal growth across the business.

“All of the people taking on these new senior roles have demonstrated outstanding operational performance over many years, and have been excellent role models for our values.”