Howard Shiplee, Olympic Delivery Authority head of construction, will leave the quango to join Laing O’Rourke at the end of the month.
Shiplee, 64, told Building that he would be joining Laing, the UK’s largest private contractor, in October and said that discussions to determine the exact nature of his new role were underway.
“We’re going to work that out. They have got a lot of opportunities there and I look forward to getting started,” he said.
A spokesperson for the ODA confirmed Shiplee will depart at the end of the month at a time when 90% of construction work is complete and the organisation is in the process of being wound down.
Shiplee joined the ODA in 2006 from consultant High-Point Rendel, where he oversaw major developments including the refurbishment of Ascot racecourse. He previously worked at Amec and Bovis.
Meanwhile Laing O’Rourke deputy chairman Bernard Dempsey has retired after 33 years at the company.
It is not thought that Shiplee will be a direct replacement for Dempsey, Construction Enquirer reported.
Dempsey is one of three shareholders in the company alongside Ray and Des O’Rourke and is a co-founder of the contractor.
A Laing O’Rourke spokesperson said: “Bernard Dempsey retired from his position as Deputy Chairman of Laing O’Rourke at the end of August after 33 successful years with the Group – and 10 years since the acquisition of the Laing Construction business.
“Bernard’s decision was entirely motivated by his desire to devote all of his time and energy to his family. His board-level duties have been assumed by the existing leadership of the Group.”
