Currently the firm’s chief operating officer, Dr Belfield will lead Arup’s 15,000-strong team and oversee a global business with turnover in excess of £1.6 billion.

He succeeds Gregory Hodkinson who completes his five-year term on 31st March 2019, the maximum tenure for chairman of the employee-owned company. He will be joined by deputy chairman Tristram Carfrae who has been reappointed in that role for a further three-year term.

Having previously led Arup’s operations across the United Kingdom, Middle East and Africa, Dr Belfield brings with him a wealth of experience in technology, engineering and advisory services.

He said: “It is a huge honour to be appointed the next chairman of Arup. I have worked in the firm for over 25 years, so I know what an amazingly talented group of people we have. In these uncertain political and economic times, our work and our values have never mattered more. Along with my colleagues, I look forward to working with our clients all around the world on projects that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Belfield is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a member of the UK Government’s Professional and Business Services Council.