New year success also puts Laing into a strong second place in annual tables, threatening Bovis' supremacy
Laing O'Rourke has slashed Bovis Lend Lease's lead in the annual league – and knocked it off the monthly top spot – after a hugely successful start to 2004.

Bovis' lead over nearest rival HBG last year was nearly £500m, but just one month into the new year Laing O'Rourke has moved into second spot with less than a £200m deficit to make up.

This was due to four contracts it won in January, the largest being the £400m Paradise Street scheme in central Liverpool for developer Grosvenor, one of the largest regeneration schemes in Europe.

The scheme was also enough to propel Grosvenor into the top three of the clients' league, edging out fellow developer Land Securities by more than £100m. The Department of Health stayed on top with 168 contracts valued at nearly £1.1bn.

These tables represent schemes within the specified time periods that have moved to main contract stage. They do not represent work currently being carried out by the listed consultants. To qualify, firms must have been identified on two or more projects fitting the following criteria in the past 12 months. Project must: be of precisely calculated or confirmed value; have reached the main contract stage; be valued at £1m or more; be in the UK. Residential, civils or overseas contracts are excluded. Student accommodation is included.

This information is compiled for Building by Emap Glenigan, which analyses an average of 8500 construction projects each week. For details, email Marcus Oughton at marcus.oughton@glenigan.emap.com or call 01202-432121.