Sir John Parker leaving after eight years in post

Laing O鈥橰ourke founder Ray O鈥橰ourke is taking over as chairman of the firm after the incumbent of the past eight years Sir John Parker announced he was stepping down.

Northern Irishman Parker, who turns 83 in April, will leave on 31 March, when Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 current financial year ends.

But the firm said Parker, whose previous chairman roles have included spells at materials firm RMC, National Grid and Anglo American, will be keeping an ambassadorial role.

john parker

Sir John Parker has been Laing O鈥橰ourke chairman for the past eight years

Ray O鈥橰ourke, who took up the role of deputy chairman following a rejig last year, said: 鈥淸This] will ensure the company continues to benefit from his experience and wise counsel.鈥�

He added: 鈥淚 am delighted to confirm that I have agreed to take on the role of chair of the group with effect from 1 April.

鈥淚 am looking forward to working with my son, our group CEO, Cathal O鈥橰ourke and our board members as we continue to implement our strategy to push the boundaries of modern construction 鈥� which is the only way to change the nature of the work we do.

鈥淣ow is the time to make the step change needed to improve the way we deliver major infrastructure 鈥� for our people, our clients and our delivery partners.鈥�

Parker, whose first three years in the role at O鈥橰ourke coincided with a chairman鈥檚 post at water utility Pennon, said: 鈥淸Laing O鈥橰ourke] are driven by a sincere sense of purpose. I have every confidence that Laing O鈥橰ourke will continue to build on its recent successes and achieve its goal to transform the business and the wider sector for future generations.鈥�

Earlier this month, Peter Lyons formally began as the new boss of its Europe hub, its biggest business, taking over from chief executive Cathal O鈥橰ourke.

Europe, which includes its UK and Middle East businesses as well as a small amount of work in Canada, had been run by Cathal O鈥橰ourke since he returned from Australia two years ago to become chief operating officer, before being made chief executive last summer.

In its last set of results for the year to March 2024, Laing O鈥橰ourke, which is the country鈥檚 biggest private contractor, posted a pre-tax profit of 拢18m on 拢4.3bn turnover, up 19% on last time, after racking up the biggest reverse in its history the year before with a 拢288m pre-tax loss.

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