Robinson will report directly to Ray O’Rourke and join the group’s executive to shape the private contractors’ 2020 strategy.
Robinson was drafted in to chair Laing O’Rourke’s main operational boards last year, when Tony Douglas left after a split with the chairman.
Robinson joined O’Rourke after 10 years with Carillion, during which time he was instrumental in its transformation into one of the UK’s leading support services companies following the demerger from Tarmac in 1999.
Ray O’Rourke, chairman and group chief executive, said: “Despite the unprecedented turmoil in the global economy and its knock-on effects in the construction sector, Laing O’Rourke is determined to maintain a leadership position in the delivery of engineering and construction services to clients in our core sectors and markets.
“To that end, the group executive committee has decided to appoint Roger to this new role, increasing the level of senior management focus on securing and advancing our core businesses whilst aggressively pursuing the emerging growth opportunities we see in Canada and the Middle East.”
“Roger will ensure a single-minded focus on how we plan and orchestrate the campaign to win work in a market where business opportunity will be determined by the Government’s forthcoming announcement of its spending review.
“He will also spearhead a number of attractive business opportunities we are pursuing in Canada, where infrastructure investment programmes continue to expand.”