Ray O'Rourke leads the industry

Ray O’Rourke has been named as the most influential leader in construction.

But even he had to settle for second place in a survey behind "none/don’t know" as industry managers gave a thumbs-down to the leadership skills of construction’s biggest names.

Hundreds of directors and managers were quizzed by the Chartered Institute of Building and asked to name influential leaders in the industry.

But the question left bosses scratching their heads to find a real industry figurehead with the top spot left vacant and O’Rourke the highest named individual (see below).

The results mean only one of the top five is currently a practising construction industry professional.

Those quizzed were less critical of themselves with 90 per cent claiming they were "above average or excellent leaders"

Institute bosses believe the results show that construction is full of good managers but no-one is really making the jump to become a real leader.

Chief executive Chris Blythe said: "There is a difference between being a leader and being a manager.

"While the industry lacks recognisable leaders, 90 per cent of respondents consider themselves as above average or excellent when asked how good a leader they are.

"But from their own point of view they are not having leadership skills improved in the right way so we know there is a great deal of untapped leader potential out there."

Those questioned ranked their most important qualities for leaders and their top five leaders outside of the industry (see below).

Top five influential leaders in construction

1. None / don’t know
2. Ray O’Rourke
3. Sir Michael Latham
4. Sir John Egan
5. Government bodies and representatives

Most important qualities of a leader

1. Communication skills
2. Strategic vision
3. Understanding of the business
4. Integrity
5. Decisiveness

Greatest leader outside the industry

1. Nelson Mandela
2. Sir Richard Branson
3. Bill Gates
4. Sir Winston Churchill
5. Baroness Margaret Thatcher