Existing staff will be given the opportunity to relocate, although Balfour anticipates as few as 20% will take up the offer.

The switch forms part of a Balfour Beatty cost-saving drive expected to make savings of over £30m a year.

A third of this will come from improved competitiveness at project level, the rest from changes to group back office support.

The firm is consolidating nationwide accounting and payroll into one office.

Initially the new centre will employ 200, rising to around 400 within three years.

Ian Dawson, appointed head of the centre said: “We have already started recruiting for the centre, both from Balfour Beatty and in the local area.

“When the centre is up and running early next year, we will have a dedicated and highly motivated team delivering excellent services.