Staff levels have dropped by nearly three-quarters to 5,000 in the Middle East as the downturn continues in the region.

Chairman Ray O’Rourke is now concentrating on Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia as workloads show little sign of improvement in the UAE.

One source told the Enquirer: “Ray is following the gold and that means targeting the Far East and Australia.

“It’s no secret the Middle East has had a tough time so less resources are going there.

“But the division won’t be closed down because there is still work in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia where we are building an 800km rail track.”

Norman Haste, the former chief operating officer of the Middle east hub, returned to the UK late last year to lead O’Rourke’s expansion into the energy market.

Recent wins in Australasia include major rail electrification jobs in Australia in Victoria and Auckland and O’Rourke is chasing work on the Hong Kong underground.