Ecosse Subsea Systems Names New Managing Director

Banchory-based Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has appointed Mark Gillespie as managing director.

Gillespie has held senior technical, commercial and contractual management roles in Technip, CSL, GE Oil & Gas, Centrica and Talisman. More recently he was managing director of Aberdeen-based engineering and project management consultancy PDi Ltd.

ESS founder, Mike Wilson, said: “We are bucking the trend and the business is on an upward curve, however, we recognised that for ESS to fulfil its potential we needed to broaden our core management team and Mark Gillespie has impeccable credentials which will enhance our reputation and add value to clients.

“He has extensive MD experience in our business sector, and his technical and operational pedigree is aligned with our focus on the oil and gas, decommissioning and renewables industries.”

As chairman, Wilson will continue to have strategic oversight of ESS and will concentrate on business-to-business relationships, special projects and technology market penetration and adoption.

“I will remain very much part of the day-to-day business but will have the freedom to concentrate on improving client relationships and in leading the development of technologies which are relevant to our traditional oil and gas sector clients and the emerging renewables sector,” Wilson added.

Mark Gillespie added: “ESS’s long pedigree in oil and gas and its fast-growing reputation for delivering renewables and interconnector projects puts the business on a strong footing for future growth and this was an attractive proposition which was difficult to refuse.”

The appointment follows the arrival of Iain Middleton in the new role of commercial manager, which will allow commercial director Keith McDermott to pursue new business opportunities in the Asian and US renewables and oil and gas sectors.