Tony Douglas, who was being groomed by Laing O’Rourke to become its chief executive, is to leave the company, it will be announced today.

Mr Douglas joined from BAA, the airports operator, two years ago with a view to succeeding Ray O’Rourke, the chairman and chief executive of Laing O’Rourke, as chief executive.

However, as The Times reported last month, he has become frustrated at not being given more responsibility at the company, the UK’s largest privately owned construction firm.

He will step down from the board with immediate effect and, after a short handover period, will leave Laing O’Rourke.

It is believed that Mr Douglas, who is highly regarded in the industry after successfully overseeing the completion of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 on time and to budget, has been approached in connection with at least three other jobs.

One of these is believed to be at Kier, the civil engineering group, where John Dodds, chief executive, is scheduled to retire next year. More recently, there has been speculation that Mr Douglas might be hired by Global Infrastructure Partners, the new owners of Gatwick airport, sold by BAA last month for £1.51 billion. Mr Douglas, who began his career as an apprentice industrial engineer and who later worked for BAE Systems, the defence engineering giant, is also thought to have been sounded out about a third potential opening overseas.

He originally agreed to join Laing O’Rourke in June 2007 as chief operating officer for Europe and the Middle East and Asia. At the time, it was assumed that he would succeed Mr O’Rourke as chief executive by August 2009.

Last night Mr O’Rourke assumed operational control of the businesses previously run by Mr Douglas.

Mr O’Rourke said: “The original appointment agreement was entered into by both parties in good faith. As my fellow shareholders and I are now unable to deliver on the original intent, I want to register my gratitude to Tony for the respect and professionalism he has shown to Laing O’Rourke at this time.”

Mr Douglas said: “I am proud to have played a part in the ongoing success of Laing O’Rourke and, in particular, I am proud of the great work of my team during my time here. It has been a privilege working alongside Ray and I wish him and his fellow shareholders every success for the future.”

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