Civil engineering and building giant the Gallagher Group has appointed its new chief executive.

Lance Taylor, former regional chairman of housebuilders Persimmon, will take over as CEO on November 1.

He replaces Nick Yandle who confirmed in August he was stepping down after 13 years with the Maidstone-based firm.

Prior to joining Persimmon, Mr Taylor spent over a decade at international cost, project management and property consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), where he was chief executive from 2007 to 2014.

At RLB he was involved in a range of major infrastructure and energy projects such as supporting organisers on the 2012 London Olympics and nuclear decommissioning work at Sellafield.

He began his career in a range of on-site engineering, contracts and project management roles at Tarmac, Birse, and Sisk, before moving into project management at PCM and head of project management at GVA.

Outgoing Gallagher CEO, Nick Yandle will remain with the group to facilitate a two-month handover, departing at the end of this year as planned.

Gallagher Group chairman, Pat Gallagher said: “After a thorough recruitment process, we are delighted to be appointing Lance Taylor. He brings a wide array of experience across our areas of operation and an enviable track record as a business leader.

“It is an exciting time for our business. This year we are celebrating 45 years of successful operation and we have just concluded our latest financial year making further positive progress with strong trading across all our operations.”

Mr Taylor said: "There is a clear commitment to set a progressive future strategy and plan for the group’s further profitable growth, together with its family-owners, the board and senior management team. I look forward to getting to know all facets of the business and the people who have made it such a success.”

Mr Gallagher added: "On behalf of the Gallagher family and our wider business, I would once again like to extend our warmest thanks to Nick Yandle for his contribution and wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his successful career in 2019.”