From Anna Stewart to Sir Michael Latham, the industry has lost some of its greats this year
Anna Stewart
Anna Stewart rose through the ranks at Laing and later Laing O’Rourke to be appointed chief executive of Ray O’Rourke’s construction giant in 2013, the first woman to run a top 10 UK contractor. Widely liked and respected in the industry, Stewart was, however, forced to step down from Laing O’Rourke in 2015 due to ill health, and in October this year died aged 53.
Sir Michael Latham
Former Conservative MP Sir Michael Latham was best known in the industry for penning the influential Constructing the Team report for John Major’s government in 1994. This report paved the way for new forms of partnership working, adjudication for disputes, and collaborative processes. A former member of Building’s editorial advisory board and chair of the CITB, Latham died in November aged 74.
Irvine Sellar
The former fashion entrepreneur was a colourful, self-made man who turned his hand to property in the 1980s, before losing it all in the early 1990s crash. He built his fortune back up and then led the development of the Shard at London Bridge into Europe’s tallest residential tower. Sellar died in February after a short illness, aged 82.
David Marks
In October, architect David Marks died from cancer, aged 64. He was best known for projects that defined the UK skyline – the London Eye and British Airways i360 observation tower. Along with his wife Julia Barfield, Marks founded Marks Barfield Architects in 1987.
Sir Brian Hill
Knighted for his services to industry in 1989, Sir Brian Hill had a substantial influence on the construction sector. During his tenure on the board of Higgs & Hill, the firm undertook some landmark projects, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Hayward Gallery and the Mound Stand at Lord’s. He died in November aged 84.
Alan Mack
Alan Mack, the former Bovis director behind the construction of the Scottish parliament building, died in January. Mack, who hit headlines for criticising MSPs when the cost of the Holyrood parliament rose tenfold to £430m, spent recent years working closely with industry training centre Constructionarium in a mentor role.
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