He will take over the chief executive post from Graham Dalton who announced his departure in January after seven years leading Highways England predecessor the Highways Agency.

As managing director of the Airports Division at Heathrow Airport Holdings (BAA) until December 2014, Mr O'Sullivan was responsible for all the group’s airports outside Heathrow. He was also previously managing director at Edinburgh Airport, and worked for British Airways for 14 years between 1988 and 2002, serving some of that time as chief engineer for Concorde and as technical director for the airline.

"I am delighted to announce Jim’s appointment to lead Highways England in a new, challenging era,” commented Highways England chairman, Colin Matthews. “The government has committed to the biggest investment in roads in a generation: there are more than 100 roads schemes in its Road Investment Strategy which Highways England will be responsible for delivering to provide safer, more reliable and much improved journeys on our busiest roads.

"I would like to thank Graham Dalton for his leadership over the past seven years. He has been responsible for significant improvement schemes, as well as meeting the needs of the nation during severe weather and events of international interest such as the 2012 Olympics, all culminating in the successful transition from the Highways Agency to Highways England."

Mr O’Sullivan will start his new role on Monday 22 June 2015, before formally taking over from Mr Dalton on Wednesday 1 July 2015.