Laing O’Rourke has announced plans to cut up to 200 jobs in the UK.
The Dartford-based contractor, which posted group revenue of £1.99 billion in its latest annual accounts, blamed the redundancies on delays in major public sector projects.
It said most of the affected functions would be based at its head office and the consultation would take place with affected employees.
Cathal O’Rourke, who returned from Australia earlier this year to take up the role of group chief operating officer, said: “Since the pandemic, the UK market has weakened and we have seen delays in some of the main public works we have prepared for.
“We must therefore reduce our operating costs, while continuing to deliver projects, and protect our ability to invest in the technology and innovations that will transform construction.
“I know that any proposal to reduce roles creates a difficult time for people. I have asked everyone to support each other as we work through this process, remembering that everyone affected has made a positive contribution to Laing O’Rourke.”
When he was appointed to his latest role in March, Cathal O’Rourke, son of company founder and chief executive Ray O’Rourke, said he hoped to “put our people and their diverse experiences at the heart of the our offer to customers”. .
Its UK-registered company Laing O’Rourke plc, which includes all the group’s operations outside Australia, saw cash holdings more than halve to £43.5m in the ‘year and said he would oversee the current impact of Brexit, inflation and the war in Ukraine. on ‘the UK business environment’.
