Kirk spent 10 years at Balfour Beatty, latterly as managing director of specialist services at Balfour Beatty where he was responsible for 700 staff.

He now leads the rail and electrification team, which has a strong portfolio of projects to deliver over the next few years that will be transformational for the railways.

Kirk said: “From a new station at Barking Riverside, where we are enabling a major new property development, to a new major junction at Werrington that will unlock additional capacity on the East Coast Mainline, we will continue to make a really positive impact on the lives of many commuters.”

He added: “I’ve enjoyed a great career with Balfour Beatty, which is another fantastic organisation, and I wish my former colleagues and friends there all the very best for the future.”