Laing O’Rourke appoints two new leaders

Laing O’Rourke has appointed two new leaders to its Europe Executive Committee (EEC). Ilze Williamson has joined the business as Finance Director for its Europe hub, and Jean-Pierre de Villiers has been appointed as the company’s new Specialist Trading Business Group (STBG) Director.

Ilze is a chartered accountant with 16 years’ experience across the UK and South Africa. She most recently held the role of Chief Financial Officer with Scott Brownrigg, a global architectural practice.

Ilze said: “I’m excited to join Laing O’Rourke and I am looking forward to working with its Europe Executive Committee to continue the great work they have underway, growing a record order book and building strong financial resilience into the business.

“Laing O’Rourke provides vital infrastructure and buildings for the community, and I feel a real sense of pride in being able to be a part of that.”

Jean-Pierre de Villiers first joined Laing O’Rourke in 2015 as a Senior Commercial Manager, and he has since gone on to hold a number of senior commercial positions across the business before this appointment as STBG Director – which includes Laing O’Rourke’s specialist businesses Crown House Technologies, Explore Manufacturing, Expanded, Select, and Vetter UK.

Jean-Pierre said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed as the STBG Director, having already worked for Laing O’Rourke for a number of years.

“The companies within the STBG provide an array of experience and talent in specialist areas, and I am looking forward to growing the businesses even further.”

Laing O’Rourke’s Managing Director, Europe, Peter Lyons, said: “I’d like to welcome Ilze to the business and Jean-Pierre into his new role. Ilze will bring with her a wealth of knowledge from her previous roles and provide some new thinking and ideas into the business, which is important for us to keep moving forward.

“I have worked closely with Jean-Pierre for a number of years and am pleased to see him promoted to his new position. While it’s important we always look to bring in external candidates and their experiences, it’s rewarding to be able to also promote from within the business. It’s the balance of the two which will help us to deliver world-class projects for our clients.”

Ilze Williamson will begin her role in July and Jean-Pierre de Villiers officially started his new role in April 2025.