Subsea UK Appoints New Chief Executive
The industry body which represents the UK’s subsea sector has appointed a new chief executive. Neil Gordon will take over the reins at Subsea UK at the beginning of July 2011. Currently general manager of the National Hyperbaric Centre in Aberdeen, Mr Gordon has over twenty years management and business development experience, combined with over ten years subsea experience. Mr Gordon is honoured to join the company.
During his time at the National Hyperbaric Centre he has successfully project-managed saturation diving operations and hyperbaric weld trials. Having helped develop the diving safety and subsea training and consultancy part of the business, he regularly lectures to subsea engineers and delivers training courses. He has experience of working in India, Middle-east, Africa and Brazil and has worked with the Oil and Gas Producers diving operations sub-committee on client representative training and competency for subsea projects. He is also a member of the IMCA diving safety medical technical and training committee.
Following a business studies course at the former Aberdeen College of Commerce, Mr Gordon trained as a commercial diver and spent eight years carrying out numerous diving assignments in the UK and Norwegian waters involving new construction projects, pipeline surveys, welding and inspection with Oceaneering and other companies. Originally from Braemar, Mr Gordon has also held director and manager level business development roles in the IT, communications and hospitality sectors.
Commenting on his appointment, Subsea UK chairman Bill Edgar said: “We are delighted to have secured Neil’s services. His background and hands on experience in the subsea industry together with his diverse management experience outside the subsea sector provides an ideal profile for the post. I am confident that he will continue the growth of Subsea UK’s range of services to members at home and abroad, initiated by Alistair Birnie who expanded the activities from the comprehensive base created by David Pridden.”
Mr Gordon added: “I am honoured to be joining such a well-respected and influential industry organisation. Over the years, I have been impressed by its rapid growth in size and stature and have the highest respect for both my predecessors. My initial aim will be to build on the successes achieved to date with a focus on delivering services that meet members’ needs and promote the globalisation of the UK subsea industry. Subsea UK’s recent work on safety and skills is of particular interest to me and I hope to be able to make a valuable contribution in these areas as well.”