Catto was group managing director for Atkins' Design and Engineering Solutions division.

He will take up his post in December, replacing current Hyder chief executive Tim Wade, who is due to retire.

Announcing the appointment, Hyder Consulting chairman Sir Alan Thomas said: "Hyder has grown very successfully over the last nine years under Tim's leadership and we are pleased to have appointed someone of Ivor's calibre to take the company through the next phase of its development."