Re-Engineering The Main Contractor
Construction has been called the most backward industry in the world. And the data backs it up. Productivity flat for decades, injury rates that no other sector tolerates, and a fragmented supply chain that resists almost every attempt at reinvention.
Chetan Kotur is in a rare position to do something about it.
A car designer by training, Chetan spent his early career at Volvo before joining the founding team that spun Polestar out as a global electric vehicle brand — scaling from 100 people to 4,000, launching in 29 markets, and building factories across three continents.
Then, a message from Ray O'Rourke changed his trajectory.
Today he leads a 50-person team at Laing O'Rourke charged with one of the most ambitious mandates in the industry: re-engineering how a tier-one main contractor designs, manufactures, and builds.
This is a fireside conversation hosted by Owen Drury of Bricks & Bytes. Spaces are extremely limited. This is a curated room if you lead a construction business, secure your place now.
The conversation will cover:
The journey from car design to construction, and the moment it became a mission
An outsider's honest read on why the industry has stayed behind
Ray O'Rourke's vision and what drives a founder to bet his own capital on changing an industry
Where Laing O'Rourke is placing its strategic bets — and which one matters most
What construction gets wrong about product, brand, and the customer experience of a building
The future of construction: AI, robotics, automation, and who gets to build what comes next
Followed by 20 minutes of audience Q&A.
This is an invitation-only gathering of senior leaders across construction, technology, and capital. Numbers are deliberately kept small. Expect a room where the conversation continues long after the formal session ends.
Brought To You In Partnership With Bridgit
Bridgit is the only AI workforce planning platform built exclusively for construction. Bridgit blends deep data on people and projects with AI that turns insights into action. Contractors get stronger project teams, smarter staffing and bidding decisions, and a workforce strategy that stays ahead of demand instead of reacting to it.
Agenda
6pm arrival and networking
6.30-7.30pm - fireside chat with Chetan
7.30-7.40pm presentation
7.40pm-9pm - Networking, food and drinks
Special Guests
We will be joined by the Suffolk Tech team who will be joining us from Boston, US.