Laing O'Rourke director leaves after 40 years

Laing O’Rourke preconstruction director Mark Richardson has left the firm after nearly 40 years.

Richardson has quit the contractor to join developer U+I as its director of delivery.

He has held several senior roles since joining Laing as a production planner in 1979, including six years as business unit leader and three years as human capital director.

A Laing O’Rourke spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Mark has left Laing O’Rourke following a long career with the group.

“We thank Mark for his service and wish him the very best for the future.”

The departure comes after a run of better news for the contractor, including major wins in Edinburgh and Dubai last month.

In Edinburgh, the firm was confirmed for the £1bn St James Centre mixed-use scheme in the city centre, while in Dubai the firm was appointed preferred bidder on two hotels and a shopping mall as part of the city’s Expo 2020 preparations.

Richardson’s new employer U+I is working on a number of major schemes. The developer’s pipeline includes a £100m mixed-use project at Cockpit Yard in Holborn, central London, and a £380m regeneration project in partnership with London fire brigade on the capital’s Embankment.

In September the firm was selected by the Mayfield Partnership to develop a £850m urban regeneration project in Manchester and more recently selected by Royal London and Galliard Homes, to develop a £175m GDV project on part of the Westminster Industrial Estate, in Charlton.