Top boss at Laing O’Rourke set for exit

Industry sources claim that Steve Hollingshead, who runs the firm’s London and south-east division, will leave the firm next month. He is believed to be currently working out his notice period before departing.

One source claimed that Hollingshead had a disagreement with the firm’s management over its ambitious growth plans. Boss Ray O’Rourke has set the contracting group the target of reaching a £5bn turnover by 2008, making it the UK’s biggest contractor.

Another industry source added that Hollingshead, who formerly ran the O’Rourke concrete contracting business, was highly regarded. He said: “He was seen as one of Ray (O’Rourke’s) better guys.”

Speculation that Hollingshead was leaving in 2003 was scotched after it emerged he was undertaking a management course at the London School of Economics.

Hollingshead’s expected exit follows the departure of long serving boss Brian Cheshire, who has been at the firm for 32 years and headed up the company’s Midlands division, in April.

Laing O'Rourke was unavailable to comment on Hollingshead's impending departure as QS News went to press this week.