Commercial director Steve Holbrook, who has been with the business for 21 years, will take over from Mr Heather, who Construction News understands will join Sir Robert McAlpine.

It is understood that Mr Heather will be joining Sir Robert McAlpine to head up its London and South-east business.

Mr Holbrook joined Skanska as a sponsored student of commercial management in 1995 and was then promoted to commercial director.

He starts his role with immediate effect.

This is the second senior figure to depart from Skanska in the last two weeks, after it was revealed by CN that executive vice-president Paul Chandler was leaving and expected to join Wates, after 34 years with the business.

Mr Chandler has been with Skanska since 1982 and was MD of its commercial building business before being made an executive VP in 2010.

He had responsibility for Skanska UK’s operating units for buildings.