Former group boss who stepped down last week due to ill health could be back in driving seat 鈥榳ithin months鈥�
Laing O鈥橰ourke has been briefing clients and contacts that former group chief executive Anna Stewart, who surprised the industry last week by stepping down due to ill health, is expected to return to run the 拢3bn turnover contractor on her recovery.
Laing O鈥橰ourke said in a statement last week that Stewart (pictured), who was appointed chief executive in April 2013 after a decade working closely alongside company founder Ray O鈥橰ourke, was stepping down 鈥渨ith immediate effect due to ill health鈥�. Ray O鈥橰ourke has assumed control as chief executive following Stewart鈥檚 decision.
The statement said Stewart will continue to support Ray O鈥橰ourke with 鈥渁 number of important strategic activities [鈥 managed around her treatment regime,鈥� but said the firm would not comment any further.
However, 黑洞社区 has been told by numerous sources that senior Laing O鈥橰ourke staff have told contacts they expect Stewart to return to lead the company, possibly within 鈥渨eeks or months鈥�.
One Laing O鈥橰ourke client said: 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 write off Anna yet. The message [from the firm] is 鈥榮he鈥檒l be back in the driving seat鈥�.鈥�
A former Laing Construction executive, Anna Stewart joined Laing O鈥橰ourke as part of the 2001 buyout by O鈥橰ourke, becoming group commercial director of the combined firm in 2004. Since being appointed chief executive she has strengthened Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 leadership team with major external hires such as former Kier chief executive Paul Sheffield, and former Capita Symonds boss Jonathan Goring.
A former competitor said: 鈥淪he is simply a very, very smart and effective operator, and everyone is wishing her the best.鈥�
The news of her illness comes after a tough year for Laing O鈥橰ourke, which reported a 拢58m pre-tax loss in its Europe division for the 12 months to March, after large write-downs in part related to problems with its off-site manufacturing facility.
Ray O鈥橰ourke said in the statement: 鈥淎nna鈥檚 medical treatment makes it impossible to continue with the full range of her extensive work duties and travel commitments. I can confirm that Anna will be continuing with the Laing O鈥橰ourke Group.鈥�
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