CRC Evans, the market leader in the provision of welding and coating services to the energy sector, has appointed industry heavyweight Luis Araujo as Chairman to help drive its next growth phase.

The appointment comes after a transformational year for the business, which has seen revenues grow to over a quarter of a billion pounds and strong growth across its core markets, including hydrogen, carbon capture, renewables, infrastructure and nuclear.

With its leadership in this space CRC Evans has real growth potential over the coming years, demonstrated by recent contract wins including with Subsea7 and Technip FMC.

The new CRC Evans was created after the acquisition by Pipeline Technique of CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Pipeline Induction Heat (PIH), and Stanley Inspection from Stanley Black & Decker with the new combined business taking the CRC Evans name.  The combined business has a strong heritage of onshore and offshore oil and gas pipeline construction, manufacturing and technology development and a reputation that has earned the trust of customers around the world.

By appointing Luis Araujo, CRC Evans has an experienced Chairman with a successful track record of growing businesses across the energy sector. During his term as CEO of Aker Solutions, he led the company through a significant transformation, expanding the company’s international presence and client base and implementing an energy transition strategy that culminated with the successful launch of new companies, Aker Carbon Capture and Aker Offshore Wind.

With over 38 years of experience in the energy and oil and gas industries, Luis has worked on a portfolio of advisory roles, with global experience in project management, engineering and sales, most recently as CEO of Aker Solutions from 2014 to 2020. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he held Regional President and Executive Vice-President roles in the company since 2011. Prior to his period with Aker Solutions, he was CEO of Wellstream Brazil, a pipeline products company with a wide range of pipe solutions, currently part of Baker Hughes GE.

In addition to his new role as a Chairman at CRC Evans, Araujo also holds the position of Chairman with several other businesses, aiming to create transformational change within the energy sector.

Welcoming Luis’s appointment as a Chairman, Frederic Castrec, CEO of CRC Evans, says, 
“We are incredibly pleased to welcome Luis as a Chairman at CRC Evans. He is part of a number of high-quality appointments we are making across the executive team to help take the business forward,. Luis has an adept knowledge of both the traditional and renewable energy sectors, and his proven successful track record will be a great asset to the company. It will help us to continue our growth story. The entire Board and I are eagerly anticipating Luis joining us on the Board, and working together as we pursue the company’s strategic goals.”

Luis Araujo, Chairman of CRC Evans, says, 
“I am honoured to take up the role of Chairman of CRC Evans – a company with huge potential that I believe I can really contribute to. Due to its leadership in welding and coating services for the energy sector, we will undoubtedly play a considerable part in the global energy transition, helping the world become more energy efficient and reduce emissions.”

CRC Evans is also appointing Carol Chesney to Chair its Audit Committee. Carol has over 35 years of experience in complex finance, audit and company secretary roles and has served on the boards of four listed companies, including Renishaw plc, Hunting plc, Biffa plc and IQE plc. Carol is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

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