Laing O’Rourke, the building company responsible for much of the work on Heathrow’s Terminal Five and for the 2012 London Olympics, almost doubled full-year profits because of its focus on big projects and expansion in fast-growing regions such as the Middle East.

Pre-tax profit at Britain’s largest privately owned construction company rose 86 per cent to £81.2m in the year to March 31, as sales increased 22 per cent to £4.24bn. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose 42.5 per cent to £142.6m.