Wates Group chief executive Andrew Davies has been announced as the new boss at Carillion.

Mr Davies will officially join the firm on April 2, at which point he will also join Carillion’s Board.

Keith Cochrane will continue to lead the business as interim chief executive officer until then.

Having been appointed to his current role in 2014, Mr Davies previously held a series of senior roles with BAE Systems plc over a 28 year period. He is also currently a non-executive director of Chemring Group PLC.

Carillion said Andrew brings executive, strategic, turn around and leadership skills to the company as well as experience of complex public sector contracting in projects, support services and construction.

Chairman Philip Green said: “Andrew has the ideal combination of commerciality, operational expertise and relevant sector experience to build on the conclusions of the strategic review and to lead the on-going transformation of the business. His experience and his people focussed personal style are an ideal combination for our business.

“We are pleased that he has agreed to join us and we are grateful to Keith Cochrane for his interim leadership of Carillion.”

Wates Group chairman James Wates said that Mr Davies would leave on November 10. Chief financial officer David Allen will become Wates’ acting chief executive pending the appointment of a permanent successor.

James Wates said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Andrew over these past four years, and I have thanked him for his outstanding leadership in growing the business, building a strong management team, and ingraining our core values throughout the organisation. On behalf of the shareholders and the board, I wish him the best for the future.”

Andrew Davies added that it had been “a privilege and a pleasure to work for the Wates Group”.

Carillion has been without a permanent chief executive since Richard Howson stepped down in July, when the company issued a profits warning. Last month Carillion unveiled pre-tax losses of £1.15m for the first six months of 2017.