Courtesy of Balfour Beatty
Deputy CEO Andrew McNaughton moves into U.K. contracting giant's top spot in April.

In a planned succession, Ian P. Tyler, a chartered accountant who has led U.K.-based Balfour Beatty PLC since 2005, will step down as CEO on March 31, the firm announced on Jan. 7.

Set to replace him is his deputy, chartered civil engineer Andrew J. McNaughton, 48.

Tyler presided over Balfour Beatty's tripling in size, including its foray into the U.S. market.

The firm acquired, in 2007, Centex Construction, the Dallas-based commercial building arm of the homebuilder, and, two years later, New York City-based professional-services giant Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc.

The latter, a $626-million deal, was the firm's largest acquisition.

Balfour Beatty has about 54,000 global employees.

McNaughton, who joined Balfour Beatty in 1997, was named chief operating officer in 2009 and deputy CEO last July.

Tyler, 52, who joined Balfour Beatty in 1998, has not publicly disclosed his next move outside the firm.

Balfour Beatty ranks at No. 23 on ENR's list of the Top 225 Global Contractors, with $13.5 billion in global 2011 revenue.