Exclusive: Nuclear energy expert and head of architecture have both left the firm

Hinkley nuclear power station

Laing O’Rourke’s head of architecture and one of the contractor’s key nuclear energy experts have both left the firm.

The £4.3bn-turnover company has confirmed that Roger Seshan, group asset optimisation and supply chain director, has stepped down from his role after a year. Seshan is an expert in nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, it has also emerged that Mark Shirburne-Davies, architectural director at Laing O’Rourke, departed before Christmas.

Seshan was appointed in January 2012 from nuclear power development firm NuGen, where he had been strategic planning director. He has also previously worked on renewable energy projects for Scottish Power.

Last June, Laing O’Rourke won a £2bn contract, in partnership with Bouygues, to do civil engineering work for EDF Energy’s new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset (pictured).

A spokesperson for Laing O’Rourke thanked Seshan for his contribution to the firm: “Roger has driven forward our extensive optimisation agenda, delivering improved common principles and approaches in several areas including policy deployment, intellectual property management and supply chain management.”

He added: “Roger has decided he wishes to focus on project development in the power sector, reflecting his prior senior leadership roles in renewable, thermal and nuclear power.”

The firm declined to comment on Shirburne-Davies’ departure.

The news follows the announcement in December 2012 of a change in leadership at the company with Ray O’Rourke stepping down as chief executive and handing the reigns to finance director Anna Stewart.

Stewart is set to take up the post of chief executive from April this year, while O’Rourke will continue in his role as executive chair.