Ray O'Rourke planned to announce succession in March

Ray O’Rourke was set to go public on plans to step down as chief executive of Laing O’Rourke in 2009, but later reversed the decision.

CJ has obtained a copy of a confidential Laing O’Rourke document, in which O’Rourke detailed his plans to hand over the reins to chief operating officer and former BAA boss Tony Douglas.

In the letter, dated March 2008, O’Rourke told colleagues: “I am sharing confidentially with you, plans for my succession and the future of the business.”

It continued: “In March 2009 I will announce publicly my intention to step down from the role of chief executive officer and that Tony will succeed me in this role. We will use the period from March until August [2009], at the latest, to complete the transition of the respective roles.”

O’Rourke then asked colleagues not to discuss the plans until an announcement had gone public.

But no public announcement ever came, which has led to speculation that Tony Douglas has been marginalised within the business, while O’Rourke has decided to hang onto the chief executive role.

Meanwhile, Douglas’s position at the company remains unclear. Last week, The Guardian newspaper reported that the chief operating officer was “poised to quit” in frustration at not being given more responsibility.

Last week, The Guardian newspaper reported that the chief operating officer was “poised to quit” in frustration at not being given more responsibility.

But industry sources indicate that he may be set to remain at the company for some time to come, until he is presented with a suitable opportunity to move on to.

And other reports indicated that the ex-BAA boss may stay at the company and that he may be offered a new role.

Laing O'Rourke declined to comment.