Major equity shareholder and founder of the Laing O’Rourke Group. As chairman of the executive board, he leads the strategic direction and operational management of the Group.

His early career included roles at Kier plc and J Murphy & Sons. In 1977 he founded R O’Rourke & Son, which commenced trading the following year. Through organic growth and acquisition the company became a major force in UK construction, specialising in civil engineering on sub- and superstructure contracting.

The business acquired the construction arm of John Laing plc in 2001, creating today’s extended international construction solutions group.

He is the recipient of honorary doctorates from a number of universities in the UK and Ireland.

Ray O'Rourke KBE
Chairman and Chief Executive