Laing O’Rourke has announced the appointment of Rowan Baker as its new chief financial officer (CFO)
Rowan Baker will take up the new role in September and will sit on the company’s group executive committee and corporation board.
She joins Laing O’Rourke from her role as chief financial officer of McCarthy & Stone plc.
Baker will succeed current group finance director, Stewart McIntyre, who will retire from full-time roles with the group in March 2021.
McIntyre will oversee a gradual handover and will remain responsible for finalisation of the 2019-20 group accounts and audit.
He will remain as an adviser to the corporation board to March 2022.
Grow revenue and drive productivity
Rowan Baker said: “I am thrilled and excited to be joining Laing O’Rourke. I am impressed by its swift actions to build resilience during the current Covid-19 crisis and remain focused on the significant opportunities on the horizon, in both the private and public sector.
“I believe its pioneering focus on modern methods of construction, digital engineering and its direct delivery model via its own construction workforce, position it well to win new business in a sector set for change.
“I am looking forward to getting started and working with a talented team of people to help the business grow revenue and drive productivity.”
Laing O’Rourke’s CEO, Ray O’Rourke, added: “I am delighted Rowan will be joining us in this critical leadership role. While it is a time of extreme turbulence in our economy and wider society, and we are working hard to ensure we emerge stronger from the Covid-19 crisis, it is important we remain focused on our longer-term objectives and success.
“There are significant opportunities and exciting times ahead of us and Rowan’s finance and leadership expertise will help us maximise these and continue our transformation.”
Experience
Prior to joining them in 2012, she worked in finance for Barclays Bank plc and professional services for PwC. She has a masters degree in Law from Cambridge University and is a qualified accountant (FCA) and chartered tax adviser.
During her most recent role, she has also gained extensive experience in the construction sector and the challenges it faces to improve productivity, deliver greater certainty for clients and overcome a long-standing skills shortage.
