Aberdeen energy services firm Wood has appointed a 40-year veteran of the oil and gas industry as its new chairman.
Roy Franklin will take up the job on September 1 after current long-standing chairman Ian Marchant announced his intention to step down in March.
Mr Franklin has been a non-executive director and the senior independent director of Wood since 2017, having previously been appointed following the company’s takeover of Amec Foster Wheeler.
He spent 18 years at BP, latterly as head of mergers and acquisitions at BP Exploration.
Following that he was managing director of Clyde Petroleum and then CEO of Paladin Resources until its acquisition by Talisman Energy in 2005.
He is currently chairman of Premier Oil and deputy chairman of Equinor ASA, the current term of which will end on June 20 this year.
Mr Franklin’s appointment came following a process to name Ian Marchant’s successor, which included the use of Korn Ferry as search consultants.
Mr Marchant said: ““Roy has made a significant contribution to Wood as a non-executive director and our senior independent director since his appointment in 2017.
“He brings a wealth of experience and will provide valuable continuity and support to (CEO) Robin Watson in his leadership of Wood.
“The Board of Wood is very pleased that Roy has agreed to succeed me as its chair.”
On the appointment, Mr Franklin said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to chair the Wood Board following Ian’s departure.
“Ian has provided an outstanding contribution to Wood during a period of transformational change for the business including, most recently, the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler.
“My Board colleagues and I express our sincere appreciation to Ian for his efforts and I look forward to working with Robin and his Executive Leadership Team to achieve continued success and sustainable growth for Wood over the coming years.”