Remarks by Cathal O’Rourke, Group CEO, at Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

I’m delighted to be a part of the celebration of this extraordinary building.

For us at Laing O’Rourke – it is also a chance to celebrate much more.

Today is a celebration of purpose and partnership.

We are fortunate to find them both here at Oxford University.

I do want to take a moment to appreciate this magnificent structure.

64 tonnes of steel, glass and oak to create the dome - worthy of any of the world’s great Cathedrals. 3,000 structural components, 400 stone & brick panels, three football pitches of insulation achieving our Passivhaus goals.

As impressive as it is, and as impressive as the construction was - it’s what will happen inside that could change the world.

There are 6 miles of bookshelves for 400,000 books.

The ideas in those 400,000 books will travel much further.

There are concert halls where music that is yet to be written will be experienced.

There are technology studios where holographics will challenge our perceptions.

It is here where moral foundations are tested at the world’s first institute for ethics and AI.

This is purpose and it is to be celebrated.

Purpose is what drives Laing O’Rourke. We push the boundaries of what’s possible in service of humanity.

We aspire to find partners who are driven by the same desire to make the world better.

That’s one reason why we have been building here since 2001. The New Chemistry building was the first building Laing O’Rourke delivered for the University.

The Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities is our 12th project together.

Our shared purpose brings us together.

Our passion for collaboration delivers outcomes like this.

As Tolkien may or may not have said here - a loyal friend is of value beyond measure. Oxford University has that in Laing O’Rourke.

Nothing unlocks momentum like working together.

For our clients – that means bringing us in early so we can help design solutions to problems before they are encountered.

It helps us deliver a more certain, higher quality product.

This building was the joint effort of all our partners, working collaboratively, for something that will endure.

And I don’t mean just the building.

We have built partnerships on this project that have taught us, challenged us and built us.

I am forever grateful and protective of that and pay tribute to our architectural, engineering and trade contractor partners – thank you.

Thank you to Oxford University and everyone who played a hand here.

Thank you for the care you showed – for the details, for the building and most importantly for our people.

Thank you for the enduring partnership.

And to our new partner – Stephen – we are grateful for the trust you showed us.

Thank you for allowing us to work with you to create a space that brims with purpose.

Thank you for the respect you showed our people.

It is a wonderful thing for our people to be recognised as you and the university have done.

Finally – to the men and women of Laing O’Rourke.

What a stunning job you’ve done.

Thank you for your skill, your expertise and your commitment.

I’m overwhelmed with pride in you.

Thank you.

Cathal O’Rourke, Group CEO