Carillion boosted

THE man hoping to rescue embattled builder Carillion is set to get to work three months ahead of schedule after his current employer let him leave early.

Incoming chief executive Andrew Davies will start on January 22 instead of in April. The ex-Wates boss, 53, replaces Richard Howson, who stepped down in July when Carillion announced an £845m write- down that sent shares down more than 90pc to 16p.

Davies will have to rebuild a business with 50,000 people, which has worked on projects such as the Channel Tunnel and Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.