Multiplex this week poached a senior director from the Wates Group as the firm pursued its policy of increasing its presence in the UK,

The Australian contractor and developer has appointed Martin Tidd managing director of Multiplex Constructions UK.

Tidd was previously managing director of Wates’ private sector market stream. He joins Multiplex on Monday.

Multiplex has been trying to fill the post since the summer. It is understood that Benny Kelly, a director of Sir Robert McAlpine, was approached but turned the job down.

The appointment is an indication of Multiplex’s drive to become a bigger player in the UK market, where it is seeking to expand its development and construction arm.

It is a major role for Tidd, who will oversee high-profile construction projects, including the Wembley national stadium in north-west London, and the White City retail development in west London, which is set to be the UK’s largest shopping centre.

Multiplex will also feed Tidd national and regional construction jobs from its development arm. That was expanded this year with the £2.2bn acquisition of Chelsfield, the company founded by property entrepreneur Elliott Bernerd.

This is a move towards the goal of focused management

Wates Group statement

Andrew Roberts, Multiplex chief executive, said that Tidd had the experience and leadership qualities to manage the company’s UK growth strategy.

Tidd has 27 years’ experience in the construction industry. Before joining Wates he spent much of his career at John Laing.

While there, he was responsible for major projects including the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, south-east London, and a shopping centre at Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Tidd said there were “fantastic opportunities” in the UK market. He said Multiplex aimed to become the leading contractor in the UK.

Wates said that Tidd left “by mutual agreement with the board”. In a statement issued to Building Wates said: “Earlier this year the Wates Group took steps to become a more efficient and customer-focused organisation. This is a further move towards the goal of focused business management. Accordingly, no direct replacement will be made.”