ContractoR Galliford Try intends to reduce the size of its Leeds contracting office and Kent maintenance division.
Market insiders claim that these offices have been identified as weak links in the 拢649m group. The decision to restructure comes after the sudden departure of deputy chief executive George Marsh, who left last month. He ran the group's contracting operation and was to be chief executive from next June.

One source said the management, led by chief executive David Calverley, was still considering the future of the two offices.

The source said: "The jury is still out as to whether they will be closed. People are already leaving the two offices."

One analyst said the decision was strategic. He said: "The company is looking at pulling out of the less good bits. It is reorientating into partnering and support services, and moving away from competitive tendering."