The chief executive of John Laing, the British infrastructure investor, has resigned little more than a year after it was taken private in a £2bn deal.

Sky News has learnt that Ben Loomes, who joined John Laing in 2020, has stepped down as chief executive and will become the company’s vice-chair for several months before leaving.

Mr Loomes, a well-regarded industry figure who previously ran the infrastructure arm of InfraRed Capital Partners, is said by one former colleague to be planning to pursue an executive role in a private equity-style fund with a focus on energy transition.

During his tenure at John Laing, he led a strategic review and restructuring of its cost base, while building a mid-market infrastructure investment operation alongside the company’s existing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) business.

Among the deals overseen by Mr Loomes at John Laing was its sale of Intercity Express Trains to AIP in September 2020 and investment in UK retirement living with McCarthy Stone in April 2021.

He also led the sale of the group’s Australian wind portfolio to FSI in October 2020.

The takeover of John Laing by KKR took place at a 40% premium to the London-listed company’s net asset value.

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Since that deal completed, he was also appointed by KKR to the board of Clearway Community Energy.

Among John Laing’s other assets are stakes in roads in the UK and Netherlands, and solar assets in Australia.

John Laing could not be reached for comment.

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