Laing O'Rourke has announced the appointment of Paul Westbury as Group Technical Director who will have global responsibility for Laing O'Rourke's technical and engineering functions, including the Engineering Excellence Group; and will lead the development of the Group's design and engineering offering  to underpin the organisation's growth strategy.

Mr. Westbury,a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, will serve on the Laing O'Rourke Group Executive Committee and will report to Anna Stewart, chief executive of Laing O'Rourke.

Anna Stewart stated:

We are extremely proud that Paul will lead Laing O'Rourke's engineering activities, working alongside the incredibly talented engineers we already employ, who are inspired to deliver whatever is needed on our projects with intelligence, ingenuity and integrity.  Paul brings an outstanding record of achievement and value creation having expanded Buro Happold into a successful international business.  I know he will help ensure Laing O'Rourke's future success as we continue to meet the challenges of our industry head on.

Mr. Westbury has more than 23 years' experience within the global technical design and engineering consultancy industry.  Most recently he served as chief executive officer of Buro Happold, the 27-office global engineering practice, leading a diverse portfolio focused on engineering and design management, specialist consulting and technical services. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Paul was managing director for the European business, overseeing all of the region's offices and activities.

Paul Westbury stated:

I am thrilled to be joining Laing O'Rourke at such an exciting point in its development.  I genuinely believe it has the strategic focus, the resources and most importantly, the right talent to lead the engineering and construction industry in an entirely new direction, setting the standards by which all other organisations in the sector will be measured.I am passionate about my profession, and this new role will enable me to continue to be an ambassador for engineering globally, raising its profile as a leader in providing solutions for many of the major life-changing issues that society is facing today and in the future.