Payne is joining Torsion Group as Managing Director following five years at Kier where he was director of the construction division with overall responsibility for the enlarged Southern and Thames Valley region.

Torsion CEO Dan Spencer said: “We have worked extremely hard to deliver our five-year strategy since forming the company and the appointment of Jonathan will ensure we have the continued success and leadership of Torsion Group.

“It is an exciting time, and our growing pipeline of student and residential schemes in Torsion Developments and the emergence of the Torsion Care business will continue to provide opportunities.

“Jonathan joining the business to lead and strengthen Torsion Group is a huge milestone for the wider group of companies, and I look forward to many successful years together as we look to implement the next five-year strategy.”

In the past few months Torsion has secured over £110m of contract awards commencing on site this year.

The haul includes new student schemes for Torsion Developments in Birmingham and Lincoln with a combined value in excess of £52m.