Wednesday, January 26, 2005

For the fourth successive year John Laing plc has been awarded the prestigious ‘PPP Developer of the Year’ at the Infrastructure Journal 2004 awards, which was collected at Thursday’s ceremony (20 January 2005) by John Laing plc chief executive Andy Friend.

John Laing’s success in this sector recognises the company’s depth and breadth of experience in the UK’s PFI and PPP arenas.

In 2004, John Laing reached financial close on 11 deals, bringing the portfolio to 42 projects, and established three joint ventures with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of Scotland and Pinnacle Regeneration Group.

Further business highlights from 2004 include reaching financial close on a Laing Rail project (Evergreen II) that will pioneer the application of design, build, finance and transfer (DBFT) in the UK rail industry; the purchase and re-sale of a 50% stake in the M40 by Laing Roads; and Equion’s ongoing success in the UK LIFT programme in the sectors of defence and education.

Commenting on the award, chief executive of John Laing plc Andy Friend said; “We are delighted to have the quality of our approach and delivery in the PFI and PPP arenas recognised with this prestigious award.”

Note to Editors

John Laing was amongst five nominees for the award, which included Bovis, Hochtief, Skanksa and Vinci.

John Laing plc is the UK’s leading corporate developer and investor in public infrastructure through the Private Finance Initiative, with a proven record of delivering new investments on time and to budget. It holds a large and expanding portfolio of investments under three main divisions: Equion, Laing Roads and Laing Rail.

For more information:

Anne Sampson/Matthew Moth 
the madano partnership 
020 7593 4000

Christine Jones 
John Laing plc 
020 7901 3200