Barnes, who has left McLaren Construction after four years as director, started his new Stepnell role last month.

Family-owned Stepnell operates across five regions from seven offices, and will use Barnes’ expertise to put the focus into the M1 corridor.

He said: “It’s a great time to be joining Stepnell. Stepnell is looking to develop and is prepared for its next period of opportunities and I am pleased to be joining at this time.”

“The business has been around for more than 150 years and is recognised as an established, mature business with the resources and infrastructure to deliver a wide variety of projects.”

Prior to McLaren, Barnes worked at Morgan Sindall for 13 years as area director in the northern home counties region.

He added: “Another reason I joined Stepnell was the match for my skills and knowledge of the M1 corridor regions, on which Stepnell has set its sights.”

Joint managing director Tom Wakeford said: “We have a clear vision for the future – 100% customer referral, an exceptional employee experience and the right margin which Adrian will be very much part of.”