Laing O鈥橰ourke announced seven weeks ago that Ray O'Rourke 鈥� founder, chief executive and majority shareholder 鈥� plans to step down in September at the age of 75.
Seamus French has been a non-executive director of the company for 18 months, while simultaneously chief executive of Anglo American鈥檚 Bulk Commodities and Other Minerals division. He has now left Anglo American and joined Laing O鈥橰ourke in an executive capacity as Ray O'Rourke鈥檚 successor-in-waiting. [See our previous report here.]
As Mr French arrived at the company鈥檚 head office in Dartford on Mondy morning, Ray O鈥橰ourke said: 鈥淚 am delighted to welcome Seamus to the business and look forward to working with him over the coming months to ensure a smooth CEO transition. He is a world-class executive, and his strong plc background and experience of leading international operations will help us continue to improve our performance and deliver long term growth.鈥�
Seamus French said he couldn鈥檛 wait to get started. 鈥淲e have exciting ambitions and great opportunities ahead of us, as we continue to innovate and redefine how this vital industry delivers the buildings and infrastructure that people and communities need,鈥� he said in a company statement.
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