Andrew Wyllie, chief executive of Costain, received a pay increase in 2007 of 54%, which took his earnings to £663,679.

The figure comprised a basic salary of £340,000 and a bonus of £310,500. His maximum possible bonus was £345,000. He earned £430,207 overall in 2006.

Tony Bickerstaff, the contractor’s finance director, also saw his pay jump – a 51% rise from £235,953 in 2006 to £355,830. This included a basic salary of £189,750 and a bonus of £154,400 – the full amount to which he was entitled.

In 2007 Costain posted a pre-tax profit of £19.8m, compared with a loss of £61.7m in 2006. Turnover edged down from £886m to £877.9m.