Top 10: Leaders in Construction

Construction leaders have helped shape some of the most iconic infrastructure, but being a leader is more than delivering results – it is about supporting staff and uplifting voices.

In an industry facing labour gaps and actively working to diversify its staff, being a leader includes looking at solutions in a new light, or helping employees feel supported.

Whether driving advancements in the sector through technological adoption, or focusing on an authentic and welcoming leadership style, the top construction companies celebrate a new age of construction.

Today, Construction Digital explores some of the leading people in the industry, including those who are championing diversity or building initiatives to support their staff.

10. Cathal O’Rourke

Title: Group Chief Executive Officer
Company: Laing O’Rourke
Founded: 2001

Cathal advocates for advanced manufacturing in construction as a means to a sustainable and productive industry. He welcomes technology as it creates new jobs and saves time across projects. He has also been utilising technology to implement safety and more efficiency across projects.

His leadership across projects focuses on a collaborative approach, aiming to drive high quality services across each project. Through the embracing of AI and simplifying of contracts, Cathal is working towards better delivery, risk mitigation and a transformed industry.

9. Ruud Joosten

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Royal BAM Group
Founded: 1869

Ruud joined the Royal BAM Group as CEO in 2020, following more than 10 years at AzkoNobel. As a leader, he is working towards driving a sustainable and diverse company, where inclusion is a key focus for him.

He is a champion of creating a workplace where women feel supported - particularly in an industry dominated by men, where women do not always have the resources they need. His work towards safety and sustainability takes place across Europe.

8. Rick Lanoha

Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
Company: Kiewit Corporation
Founded: 1884

Rick has worked at Kiewit since 1986, assuming increasingly senior positions and gaining a range of experience. This has included area manager, senior vice president and district manager, to his current role as CEO and President. 

Rick is dedicated to helping his staff members and focusing on their mental wellbeing. Through his leadership, he takes part in collaborative efforts to address issues of mental health across the sector and support those who are struggling.

7. Pierre-Éric Saint-André

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Bouygues Construction
Founded: 1952

Pierre joined the Bouygues Group in 2005, after his company Axione was acquired. Since then, he has helped with the digital infrastructure and energy production within the company. He became CEO in January 2026.

His job has allowed him to travel and lead diverse teams around the world, including France and Hong Kong. At the company, he has played an integral role in its expansion, including the acquisition of A W Edwards in Australia in 2018. 

6. Philip Hoare

Title: Group Chief Executive Officer
Company: Balfour Beatty
Founded: 1909

Philip has more than three decades of leadership experience in engineering and construction. Prior to joining Balfour Beatty as CEO, he was the CEO of AtkinsRéalis in the UK and Europe, before leading their global team.

He is dedicated to the acceptance of technology in engineering, with the aim of making the world more productive. He has worked on infrastructure and industrial strategy in close collaboration with the UK Government, demonstrating his expertise in the sector. 

5. Anders Danielsson

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Company: Skanska Group
Founded: 1887

Anders has spent all of his career at Skanska, making his way up the career ladder from a MEP Coordinator as a fresh graduate, to Group CEO, which he took on in 2018. Much of his work focuses on customer service and ensuring the company meets client needs at all times.

As leader, he understands the importance of constantly learning and adapting to improve. Through connection and collaboration with other professionals, Anders drives Skanska to help shape meaningful places for communities to live and work.

4. Peter Davoren

Title: President & Chief Executive Officer
Company: Turner Construction
Founded: 1902

Under Peter's leadership, Turner is establishing itself in diverse building markets in North America, advancing with new technology in order to undergo a global expansion.

Peter aims to ensure the working environment is authentic, with an empowering nature to uplift his staff. He is also focused on improving the economic viability of underrepresented businesses and uplift those who typically do not have the same opportunities as larger enterprises.

3. Brendan Bechtel

Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Company: Bechtel
Founded: 1898

Brendan guides his company as it helps its customers tackle issues of infrastructure, energy, resources and security. As a family business, Brendan leads Bechtel in driving innovation and making an impact.

Much of his job focuses on connecting with his staff and getting involved by listening to their needs, or new solutions which can innovate the sector. His aim for the company is to design and build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

2. Juan Santamaría Cases

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Grupo ACS
Founded: 1997

Juan has had an extensive career, gaining more than 20 years of experience in large and complex construction projects across North America, Latin America, South Africa and Europe. Through this, he has worked in diverse teams and gained extensive leadership skills around the world.

He joined Grupo ACS as CEO in 2022. Prior to this, he was the CEO of CIMIC Group. Juan has held several roles as Managing Director, exploring how various companies operate. His international career has seen him work across Spain, Germany, Australia and North America.

Under his leadership, the company is helping unlock knowledge in order to empower its clients and shape the future, particularly during today's ever-changing world. Juan is a champion of education and empowerment, working to unlock value for the future.

1. Pierre Anjolras

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: VINCI
Founded: 1899

Pierre has an extensive career at VINCI, having originally joined the company in 1999. Since, he has worked in various roles and gained significant experience in leadership across the construction industry. In 2024, Pierre became the COO of the company, before his appointment of CEO in 2025.

He is a graduate of École Polytechnique and The École nationale des ponts et chaussées – a prestigious French engineering school, where he undertook extensive training programmes. Now, he utilises this knowledge and his skills to lead VINCI in its operations.

VINCI has an aim of contributing to the energy transition to build a better living environment, full of responsible infrastructure. Part of its commitment includes social progress, by ensuring it is a humanist, inclusive and socially responsible company.