L-R: Decom Engineering’s Head of Business Development Michael O’Neill, Chairman Keith McDermott and Head of Engineering Calum Dey (Photo: Decom Engineering)

Aberdeen-headquartered Decom Engineering (Decom) has appointed high growth specialist and investor Keith McDermott as chairman as the specialist cutting business ramps up growth across the offshore, industrial and energy transition sectors.

McDermott has invested in and exited a number of businesses across a spectrum of sectors and currently works as a non-executive director with a portfolio of companies from engineering to health and fitness.

Previously he was commercial director and a shareholder in Ecosse Subsea Systems, helping grow the Aberdeen-based business over a number of years prior to its eventual £50 million sale in 2018. 

His appointment as Decom chairman, following four years in a non-executive director role, will help support the company roll out its specialist engineering capabilities across decommissioning, subsea operations and wider industrial applications.

He said: “The business is thriving on the back of a number of innovative engineering product developments and contract awards and I fully support its drive to add value for clients through excellent customer service and project delivery.

“Decom has a lot to offer the energy decommissioning and infrastructure sectors and I am delighted to play a role in pushing the business forward into new geographic markets and in exploiting fresh opportunities in other areas.”

Decom Engineering managing director, Nick McNally, said: 
“We have worked closely with Keith for some years and have greatly benefited from his experience of helping grow small businesses from start-up, through market entry and on to high performance entities.

“His counsel and proven ability to identify commercial opportunities while solving impediments to growth, will be invaluable in the future as we look to scale our patented cutting tools and associated technologies.”

Founded in 2011, Decom’s range of precision cold cutting systems and bespoke engineered solutions are designed to improve operational efficiency, minimise downtime and reduce risk during complex dismantling and decommissioning projects.

Decom recently secured a United States patent for key elements of its proprietary Chopsaw cutting technology and has further patent applications progressing in multiple international jurisdictions, with the aim of ensuring the company retains control of its innovative technology in a competitive global market.

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