鈥楳ajor coup鈥� for contractor as Tony Douglas takes charge of European construction division

Tony Douglas has quit as chief executive officer of Heathrow airport to join Laing O鈥橰ourke as the chief operating officer of its European construction division.

Douglas will try to increase the use of off-site and other modern technologies on developments.

He has previously worked with Laing O鈥橰ourke during his time as managing director of the Terminal 5 project.

Ray O鈥橰ourke, Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 chairman, said: 鈥淭his very welcome appointment reflects our determination to grow the group strategically and further reinforces Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 vision to challenge and change the image of construction.鈥�

A Laing O鈥橰ourke source said the appointment was being viewed as a 鈥渕ajor coup鈥� at the contractor.

The appointment also fits in with Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 strategy of separating the Europe, Middle East and Asia, and Australasia regions. Douglas will be in charge of Europe.

A spokesperson said the company was looking at opportunities in Europe. He said: 鈥淭his is still very much at the research stage and there are a small number of opportunities that are perhaps more promising than others.鈥�

Douglas鈥� responsibilities at Heathrow will be taken up by Heathrow managing director Mark Bullock, who will keep his title.

Douglas was appointed chief executive officer at Heathrow for BAA in March 2006.

Postscript

For more on Laing O鈥橰ourke, search