Bullock will replace Dean Banks, who is leaving the firm after five years to take up a new role in Australia.

(L-R) Promotions for Mark Bullock and Matthew Steele as Dean Banks leaves

He takes up the top job at Construction Services at the start of December and will work with Banks until the end of the year to ensure a smooth handover.

Bullock joined Balfour Beatty eight years ago as MD of the rail business.

Previously he spent a year as MD of Laing O’Rourke’s Select plant hire group and before that worked as a BAA director on the Heathrow T5 project.

In a further shuffle of roles, Matthew Steele becomes managing director of Rail & Utilities, promoted from managing director of Gas & Water after two years.

Steele before that worked at Network Rail, Crossrail and London Underground.