Former John Laing chairman Sir Martin Laing has died aged 81.

Sir Martin was at the helm of the famous contractor when it was sold to O’Rourke for £1 in 2001 to create Laing O’Rourke.

His death just after Christmas following a short illness was confirmed by the John Laing Charitable Trust from which he had recently retired.

Sir Martin took over from his father Sir Kirby Laing as chairman of John Laing in 1985 and remained at the helm until the O’Rourke sale.

He was knighted in 1997 for services to the construction industry.

The John Laing Charitable Trust said: “He will be especially missed by Stephanie, his wife of 58 years, children Edward and Alexandra, his five grandchildren, friends and many thousands of others to whose lives he made a real difference through his many corporate and charitable activities.”