The Laing O鈥橰ourke the Board has unanimously approved the appointment of Ray鈥檚 son Cathal O鈥橰ourke as the new group chief executive as of 1st July 2024.
Cathal O鈥橰ourke, 47, is a graduate civil engineer, who has served in various operational and leadership roles across the group, including a stint as managing director in Australia and most recently group chief operating officer.
After emigrating from Ireland to England in the 1960s, Ray O鈥橰ourke founded R O'Rourke & Son in 1977 in east London as a regional formwork and concrete specialist. In September 2001 he acquired main contractor Laing Construction from John Laing plc for 拢1.
In 2011 he received an honorary knighthood in recognition of his services to the UK construction industry.
Laing O'Rourke鈥檚 most recent accounts, for the year to 31st March 2023 showed turnover of 拢3.4bn but a pre-tax loss of 拢288m.
Ray O鈥橰ourke, 77, will continue to serve on the group board as a deputy chair, alongside his brother and co-owner Des. He will chair the board nomination committee, drive innovation in construction methods, and be available to the new chief executive to meet with key customers and stakeholders and to provide mentoring and advice.
Cathal O'Rourke said: 鈥淚 am truly honoured to be trusted with the leadership of our business and our people, and I am committed to continuing to work with our clients, delivery partners and all other stakeholders to lead positive change.
鈥淭ogether we can continue to drive forward on our mission to transform our sector into a more sustainable and productive industry, embracing new and innovative ways of doing things, whilst at the same time, providing our people with safe, challenging and rewarding careers.鈥�
Ray O鈥橰ourke said: 鈥淚 am delighted to be in a position to hand over the reins of CEO to my son and our Group COO, Cathal O鈥橰ourke. I am incredibly proud of our people and what we have achieved as a business.
鈥淲e have maintained a commitment to transform our industry, and our people are recognised for their ability to deliver complex engineering projects using advanced and sophisticated techniques across the globe.
鈥淐athal has enjoyed a successful career in our family business, spanning a quarter of a century and I have every confidence he will continue to lead our people well into the future, upholding the values and guiding principles that have been the foundation of our success.鈥�
Laing O'Rourke chair Sir John Parker said: 鈥淎t this time of major transition in the leadership of the group we are fortunate to have such a well-qualified and talented successor to Ray in Cathal. The board has every confidence in Cathal鈥檚 leadership qualities, accumulated experience, his commitment to modernising the industry and his alignment with Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 values of care, integrity, and courage.
鈥淲e salute the unique creativity of Ray鈥檚 leadership in building the group and its culture that we know today. We are fortunate that he will continue to serve providing ongoing guidance and mentorship.鈥�
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