黑洞社区

Sir Robert McAlpine is expected to look outside the company to fill its vacant top job, after the shock departure of Tony Aikenhead as chief executive.

The heavyweight contractor admitted last week that Aikenhead, who was the private family-owned firm鈥檚 first ever chief executive, will step down this month after just eight months in the role.

The firm 鈥� which is trying to bounce back from two years of 拢50m-plus losses - has moved quickly to quash market speculation that Aikenhead鈥檚 departure was part of a move by the McAlpine family to wrest more control of the business.

A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine told 黑洞社区 the chief executive role would be retained, that the search for a replacement was under way, and the position 鈥渨ill not be filled by a member of the McAlpine family鈥�.

The McAlpine family鈥檚 interests will be membership of its boards, the spokesperson said, but added: 鈥淗owever, to ensure it is in the best position to achieve its 2019 objectives, the company recognises that it needs to draw on experience and insights from across the industry.鈥�

McAlpines in leading roles include non-executive chairman Gavin McAlpine, deputy chairman Hector McAlpine and director of corporate development Edward McAlpine.

Aikenhead led a recent change in the firm鈥檚 strategy, including targeting 20% turnover from civil engineering, winning more public sector work, and reducing tendering risk.

He joined McAlpine in 2007 as project director for the London 2012 Olympic stadium after seven years at Swiss healthcare firm Hoffman La Roche and 27 years at contractor John Laing. He had planned to retire in 2018.

Aikenhead鈥檚 sudden departure shocked the industry and prompted immediate speculation about the future direction of the company.

One source told 黑洞社区 he understood Aikenhead was leaving after a 鈥渂ust-up鈥� with a McAlpine family member, adding: 鈥淭here were differences of opinion with the family on direction and decision-making. In some cases, [his] decisions were undermined.鈥�

The source added: 鈥淭ony Aikenhead was a good pair of hands and a knowledgeable builder. If he can鈥檛 survive in there, then they鈥檒l have difficulty attracting someone.鈥�

Another source described Aikenhead as 鈥渓ike a minister without a department鈥� during his time as chief executive, due to the continued influence of the family.

A third source said: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a great outfit and a great company, but the family had the reins for a long time. They don鈥檛 behave like a plc; they鈥檙e not a Balfour Beatty or a Carillion. It will be difficult for an outsider to be the CEO as there is a lot of influence from the family.鈥�

McAlpine鈥檚 spokesperson said the firm 鈥渄oes not comment on market speculation or rumour鈥�.