The continuing story of Jarvis’ fight for life took yet another turn this week as a former executive returned to take up a key position 10 years after he left.

Richard Entwhistle left the post as director of Jarvis civil engineering’s southern region after Paris Moayedi took over the company in 1995. On 8 September he will become the latest in a long line of senior management changes at the company when he assumes the position of chief operating officer.

Entwhistle joins Jarvis from Amey, where he was a main board director, and fills the gap left by Andrew Lezala who quit Jarvis in April to become chief executive of Metronet, one of the the infrastructure companies working on the London Underground.

Last week Jarvis completed another disposal – the sale of UK road signs business Techspan to construction group Hill & Smith Holdings for £890,000.

A statement for the company said it was part of a wider strategy of disposing of its non-core businesses, and would enable the group to focus on its rail, roads and plant operations.

Entwhistle left his post after Paris Moayedi took over the company in 1995

Techspan made a loss before tax of £1.18m in the year to 31 March 2005. All of the company’s staff have transferred to Hill & Smith.

Also last week, Jarvis confirmed that its shareholders voted in favour of a proposed £350m debt-for-equity swap, leaving them with less than a 5% stake in the company.