The former head of Crossrail will join BAE Systems later this year in a newly created role.

Andrew Wolstenholme OBE will be group managing director, maritime and land UK from May 24.

Mr Wolstenholme joins from Crossrail Ltd, where he led Europe's largest infrastructure project for the last seven years.

BAE Systems, which has a base in Barrow, said in a statement: "He has extensive experience in business leadership and delivering major engineering projects in the UK, Asia and North America, including the delivery of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5."

Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: “Andrew has a proven track record in leading major organisations and his diverse knowledge and business insight will complement the skills, talent and sector expertise within our maritime and land UK teams as they focus on delivering our commitments to our customers.”

Mr Wolstenholme was previously construction director on the Heathrow Express rail link, and most recently at Balfour Beatty.

He served in the army for five years, initially in the Royal Engineers and then as an Irish Hussar.