Our founder, Ray O’Rourke (pictured) has overseen the company’s extraordinary growth during the past 30 years. The organisation has grown from a mid-sized formwork and concrete business in the UK to a global engineering enterprise with an annual turnover of around $A8 billion.

2012

Laing O'Rourke will complete the programme management of the world's largest construction project - the London 2012 Olympics.

2011

Awarded our first construction project in Canada after launching operations in 2010. The Centre Hospitalier De L'Universite De Montreal will be delivered as a $2 billion private-public partnership.

2010

Laing O'Rourke refocuses on a One Company // Two Hubs strategy with Hong Kong and South-East Asian operations joining the Australasian Hub of the business.

At the same time, the Hong Kong business secures three major transport infrastructure contracts with metro rail operator MTRC.

2007

Middle Eastern operations are underway across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

2006

Laing O'Rourke purchases Barclay Mowlem and builds on this inheritance of a strong Australian heritage and multi-disciplined capability across the building, rail, civil, marine, power, and mine infrastructure sectors.

2004

Laing O'Rourke Australia starts operations across the property markets of both NSW and Queensland, focusing on a diverse range of developments including residential, commercial, industrial and mixed use.

2001

O'Rourke plc and Laing Construction plc joined forces - and the strengths and expertise of the two companies combine to form a single company the following year.

1978

R O'Rourke and Son was formed, with offices in east London. The first job was a £2300 precast frame for Foundation House in Bracknell, England.

1848

James Laing and his wife built their home, Caldew House in Cumbria, England, marking the beginning of the Laing business in the UK.