Laing O’Rourke reports another successful year of growth
14.07.26Laing O’Rourke has today confirmed another consecutive year of growth across its global operations.
The business has reported a growth in pre-exceptional profit of 42 per cent alongside a record order book of £17.2 billion which has been delivered thanks to a disciplined approach. This enables us to invest in our people and the technology that will help us reimagine the construction industry.
Equivalent to more than four years’ revenue, the record order book reflects the continued success of Laing O’Rourke’s disciplined sector-driven approach, the hard work of our people and the trust the business has built with our clients.
Key financial highlights
- 42% growth in pre-exceptional EBIT to £157.7m (FY25: £111.3m), driven by operational excellence, disciplined project selection and strong market demand
- Gross margin improving significantly to 9.7% from 6.9% in FY25, driven by improved execution and the benefits of Laing O'Rourke's manufacturing-led vertically integrated operating model
- Net cash rising 60% to £456.8m (FY25: £284.7m), driven by strong cash generation and working capital management
- Net assets increasing 35% to £294.8m (FY25: £218.7m) as a result of the Group’s strong earnings and cash generation
- A record order book of £17.2bn, up 45% from £11.9bn in FY25, representing more than four years’ revenue.
FY26 saw the business successfully hand over multiple projects, delivering vital social infrastructure to communities throughout the UK, Middle East, and Australia.
Key project highlights
- The construction of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities for the University of Oxford
- Delivering the Oxford North, Phase 1, science and innovation facilities for Stanhope, a £1.2 billion, 30-hectare global innovation district at St John’s College, Oxford
- Transport infrastructure for Berkeley St James as part of the Milton Keynes East development
- The regeneration of the former Whiteley London department store in London, transforming an entire city block into a new mixed-use neighbourhood
- The delivery of two new data centres in the UK and Pure Data Centre’s new campus on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Work on the Suburban Rail Loop in Victoria, Australia, the first construction phase of the state's largest-ever infrastructure project
- The METRONET Byford Rail Extension, an 8 km railway extension to the rapidly growing suburb of Byford in Western Australia
- The completion of the Queensland rail station accessibility upgrade program in Queensland, Australia.
I am proud of the work our people have done together to deliver these results.
This is the platform to invest in our people and the technology that will help us reimagine the construction industry.
We have a moral imperative to revolutionise our industry and the industrialised construction methods we have long pioneered reduce manual strain, improve the safety and wellbeing of our people and deliver certainty and quality for our clients.
Our results are a reflection of the trust we have built with our people and our partners as we continue to imagine what’s possible for the future of the construction industry.
We have delivered a significant increase in profitability, strengthened our cash position and secured a record £17.2 billion order book, the largest in our history, reflecting the confidence our clients place in us to deliver some of the most complex and important infrastructure programmes in the UK and Australia.
“By combining the expertise of our people with advanced manufacturing, digital engineering and automation, we are making construction safer, more productive and more sustainable.
“Just as importantly, this growth has been achieved while maintaining disciplined focus on the right projects, in the right sectors and the right contract structures. As a result, the Group is exceptionally well positioned to capitalise on the significant infrastructure opportunities that are emerging across our core markets.
“We enter FY27 from a position of considerable strength. With record levels of secured work, a high-quality pipeline of future opportunities and a relentless focus on operational excellence, we are well placed to continue delivering sustainable growth while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in modern construction.
An exceptional FY26 performance
Laing O’Rourke’s Europe and Australian businesses both delivered strong performances throughout FY26, building on the momentum established over recent years and reaffirming the strength and resilience of the Group’s long-term, purpose-led approach.
This performance was delivered against a backdrop of continued geopolitical and economic uncertainty, ongoing supply chain pressures and persistent labour constraints across key construction markets.
Despite these challenges, Laing O’Rourke has positioned itself to respond to demand for high-quality energy, healthcare, rail and technology infrastructure.
Throughout the year, teams from across the business remained focused on disciplined project selection, quality products delivered with safety at the heart and the further development of Laing O’Rourke’s manufacturing-led approach to construction.
Laing O’Rourke entered FY27 with record levels of future work, a strengthened balance sheet and increasing demand for its differentiated delivery model that pushes for digital innovation, direct delivery and modern methods of construction, all of which provide a strong platform for continued sustainable growth.
