Part of planned strategic growth, he brings extensive project management and expertise to the role including experience as the lead engineer on multiple projects in the regional residential sector and several North East road improvement schemes.

His new responsibilities will include overseeing highway and drainage design contracts for house builders Story Homes and Taylor Wimpey among other clients. He will also provide on-going technical support to the senior management team as part of a growth strategy that is seeing RWO expand its commercial activities nationally.

Alex Erskine, director of civils, said the firm is recruiting skilled people to support growth and added: “Our continued investment in experienced engineers like Lewis will see us well placed to provide top-class skills, services and support to clients for years to come.”