Balfour Beatty has appointed Matthew Steele as managing director of its gas and water business.

Steele joins the firm from Network Rail where he was commercial and development director. Previously, he was programme director at Crossrail and head of power, communications and cooling upgrades for the London Underground.

A chartered mechanical engineer, Steele has wide knowledge of the UK infrastructure market, with over 19 years’ experience providing strategic direction to large cross-industry and multidisciplinary teams.

Mark Bullock, chief executive officer of Balfour Beatty’s rail and utilities business, said: “I am delighted to welcome Matthew to my leadership team. His extensive experience in delivering critical infrastructure projects in regulated markets will strengthen our client relationships and further enhance our capability in the sector.”

Balfour Beatty’s gas and water business operates in the UK and Ireland. Current projects include the gas distribution strategic partnership worth £1.2bn, the AMP6 capital investment programme as part of Advance (a joint venture between Balfour Beatty and MWH to work on United Utilities’ £1.5bn construction and engineering framework), a £414m contract by Bord Gais Networks and a £800m Thames Water contract as part of a joint venture with Skanska and MWH Treatment (known as SMB), the value of which to Balfour Beatty is approximately £265m over the initial five years.