Subsea engineering specialist, Ecosse Subsea Systems, has appointed Michael Cowie as its first technical director, as it gears up for further growth.
A soil mechanics expert, Michael Cowie, was previously general manager with Helix Canyon Offshore in charge of seabed drilling and has held senior geotechnical and engineering management roles at Subsea 7.
The appointment strengthens ESS’s executive team and add weight to its engineering and research and design capabilities. The move also allows managing director, Mike Wilson, more time to focus on strategic business development issues and in extending the company’s suite of patented technologies.
UK-based ESS designs, develops, builds and operates a range of subsea equipment used in the subsea oil and gas sector and in the renewables industry. Its technologies cover trenching, seabed preparation and clearance, spoolbases, pipelay systems and ambient lifting.
The company expects its next set of accounts to show a fourth successive year of revenue growth, boosted by a 72% sales increase in 2013.
ESS managing director, Mike Wilson , said: “To continue this upward trajectory and to consolidate our reputation as an innovative R&D specialist, we recognised the need to broaden the experience of our team.
“Michael Cowie has a proven track record of solid achievement with blue-chip oil and gas specialists and he will bring an attention to detail which will improve our controls, procedures and efficiency. His strong technical background will enhance our reputation and will be a great asset to our younger members of staff who can benefit from his hands-on experience.”
Michael Cowie added: “I’ve enjoyed working with large international companies but relish the challenge of making a positive contribution to a young, niche company, which has exciting technologies capable of changing the way projects are executed.
“Ecosse, a Scottish owned company, prides themselves in thinking differently and have the true ability to deliver a unique, client-focussed service. It has successfully crossed the bridge from its traditional oil and gas origins to the emerging renewables sector, and I am delighted to get in on the ground as it prepares for significant growth in this and other exciting new markets.”
ESS employs more than 70 staff and contractors and expects its payroll to grow to 100 in the next year. Since recently moving from Aberdeen to Banchory it has further extended its office space and has the capacity to extend its existing R&D facility at Brathens Eco-Business Park.