Finance chief Anna Stewart appointed Laing O鈥橰ourke chief executive, but Ray O鈥橰ourke to continue as executive chairman

Anna Stewart - Laing O'Rourke

Ray O鈥橰ourke is to step down from his role as chief executive of the UK鈥檚 largest private contractor and will be replaced by finance chief Anna Stewart.

In a statement today, Laing O鈥橰ourke said Anna Stewart, currently chief financial and commercial officer, has been appointed as Laing O鈥橰ourke Group chief executive, with the appointment taking effect from April 2013.

Ray O鈥橰ourke, Laing O鈥橰ourke executive chairman and chief executive, said he would continue in the role of executive chairman.

He said: 鈥淭he shareholders and the Group board have ensured that in selecting Anna as the next chief executive we will achieve the seamless continuity of strategic approach we were seeking.

鈥淎nna is the outstanding choice to lead the company because of her excellent track record in helping transform and grow our international presence; her intimate knowledge of Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 culture and operations, her role in the development of the Group鈥檚 strategy and her unquestionable passion for realising our future vision.

鈥淎nna鈥檚 appointment has the unanimous support of all the senior leaders across the business. I am confident that supported by the Group Board and Executive Committee, she will take the Group to the next level of performance.

鈥淚 look forward to working with her to successfully deliver our innovative plans for engineering, Design for Manufacture and Assembly, asset optimisation, talent management and financial performance.

鈥淔ollowing a seamless handover of my chief executive duties to Anna, I will continue in the role of Executive Chairman, responsible for the leadership of the Group Board.鈥

Anna Stewart said: 鈥淚 am very proud to have been asked by the shareholders and the Group board to lead Laing O鈥橰ourke, having started my career with the company over 30 years ago.

鈥淟aing O鈥橰ourke is a unique business with leading capabilities in all facets of engineering and construction; a talented leadership team; highly engaged workforce; and longstanding client relationships.

鈥淚 understand the obligations that come with the role and have committed to the shareholders to turn our highly compelling vision for the future into reality.鈥