![FORGING AHEAD: An Expro technician busy at work . . . the company employs about 800 people in Aberdeen](https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/energyvoice/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2012/02/EN_img2620119.jpg)
Aberdeen firm Expro has appointed a new chairman and reshaped its senior management team as it eyes more growth internationally.
The oilfield services firm said yesterday it had turned to eminent businessman Sir George Buckley to fill the vacancy left by Graeme Coutts, who stepped down as chairman last July. Sir George, 64, was until last week the US-based chairman, president and chief executive of global blue-chip manufacturer 3M.
He is still executive chairman but will retire from that role at 3M’s annual shareholder meeting in May and take up his new post at Expro on June 1.
Before leading 3M, Sir George was chairman and chief executive of US manufacturing firm Brunswick Corporation. His earlier roles include spells in senior roles with US Electric and Emerson Electric.
Before going to the US he was managing director of the central services division at British Rail.
Sir George, who was born, raised and educated in the UK, holds degrees in electrical and electronic engineering and three honorary doctorates. He also has 16 patents to his name.
He received his knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours list last year, marking decades of achievement in industry.
Expro chief executive Charles Woodburn, said: “He is a highly regarded and hugely successful businessman – a true innovator who brings to Expro’s board vast leadership experience as well as an in-depth understanding of technologies and global businesses. His expertise in managing large corporations across multiple markets will be a tremendous asset to Expro as we continue to invest in growing our business.”
Sir George will also become chairman of Arle Capital Partners, which is part of the shareholder consortium owning Expro.
The new-look senior management team at Expro includes Mike Jardon, chief operating officer, who heads up regional operations and is responsible for employee safety and service quality.
Gary Belcher has been appointed as president of testing and production.
Andy Richards has responsibility for group engineering and also subsea and wireline product lines as president of subsea and intervention.
Alistair Geddes is president of strategy, resource development and support and Jean Vernet joins Expro as chief financial officer.
Mike Speakman, who was temporarily chief financial officer, resumes his past role as executive director for corporate development and Iain Farley leads Expro’s sales teams as global business development director.
Mr Woodburn said: “I have made a number of changes to strengthen the management team and we now have the right people in place to move forward and meet the increasing global demand for our services.”
Expro employs 5,000 people in 50 countries, including about 800 in Aberdeen.