Dubai-based fabrication and engineering firm Lamprell has promoted Niall O'Connell to chief operating officer in its latest staffing change.
In August, the firm announced CEO James Moffatt, who joined Lamprell in 2013, is to retire in June next year, with a search to find his successor.
At the same time, Lamprell said Tony Wright was being promoted to CFO, after former CFO Joanne Curin left last year.
Moffatt, Curin and O'Connell joined Lamprell in 2013, at a time it was under financial strain, issuing a string of profit warnings. By 2014, the firm had been refinanced and was posting record profits.
However, in January, the firm recently said 2015 would be challenging, as the industry "adjusts to the new realities," caused by the oil price collapse.
O'Connell joined Lamprell in April 2013 as vice-president (projects) and, since October 2014, has been in the role of vice president and general manager (new build jackup rigs).
He has 20 years' experience in the sector, having spent seven years at KBR with a focus on LNG projects, and prior to this 12 years at Cape Industrial Services in a number of international roles. He has more than 10 years' experience working in the Middle East, with a proven track-record of project delivery with high standards of quality, safety and profitability.
In the role of COO, O'Connell will report to Moffat, with responsibility for supervising overall operational performance, including organizational efficiencies, competitive positioning, implementation of process and productivity improvements, project delivery and resource management.
Moffat said: "I am pleased that Niall O'Connell has been promoted to the role of COO, another internal promotion following the appointment of Tony Wright as CFO in August. Niall has been instrumental in the group's robust performance in our new build jackup rigs business, demonstrating his strong management skills and clear focus on delivery. In the COO role, he will continue to be a key contributor to the group's ongoing performance and I am confident that we will benefit from his solid sector expertise and regional experience in the implementation of our long term strategy."