Previously commercial director, he joined Wildgoose in late 2018 after leaving Skanska to move closer to home in the north.

At Skanska he spent 10 months as commercial director for its £300m infrastructure services business, delivering highway maintenance jobs in the south.

Executive chairman Jonathan Wildgoose said: “In the short time that Andrew has been with us, he has already made significant improvements to our delivery capabilities, systems and approach which are already helping us to develop and further improve our offering.

“This appointment is the clear next step in our journey and has the full backing of all colleagues and shareholders”.

Tilford has enjoyed a long career working for several major national contractors. He started out as a quantity surveyor at Wimpey Construction, spent 12 years with Morgan Sindall before joining Interserve Support Services in 2012 as commercial director, infrastructure and industrial.

“Wildgoose has a strong reputation and my challenge is to build and strengthen that further'” said Tilford.