Imtech, which is jointly owned by French power giant EDF and Dalkia, will now be led by Gautier Jacob, strategy director since 2017.

As part of the changes, the UK engineering services business is to be reshaped into a leaner business.

This will see 50 staff layoffs, amounting to around 7% of the workforce, to shape it for challenging market conditions.

Steve Wignall, who joined Imtech from Laing O’Rourke at the start of last year, will become managing director of Imtech Engineering Services, bringing in simpler reporting lines and a more agile business.

(L-R): Kavanagh steps down, Jacob promoted to Imtech UK chief, Wignall to head Engineering Services arm

The remaining heads at the other UK businesses remain unchanged with Noel Clancy, MD Imtech Inviron; Dave Pickles, MD Capula; and Gary Parke, MD Breathe.

Kavanagh said: “Like all businesses in the built environment sector, Imtech has been impacted by the unprecedented challenges that the coronavirus pandemic has brought this year.

“Our people and businesses have risen well to those challenges. I want to thank them for this and for what we have built together over the years at Imtech. I wish Gautier every success and know that the business will continue to thrive under his and the teams leadership.”

Incoming chief executive Jacob said: “I am very proud to succeed Paul in the role of CEO of Imtech. I am fully confident that the quality and the commitment of our teams, our broad range of skills and our ability to deliver value-added services for our clients will continue to drive positive results across the business.”

Going forward, to focus on opportunities in the Irish market and its international data centre business, Suir will now report directly to parent company Dalkia, rather than through Imtech.