Bodycote chooses industry veteran Jim Fairbairn as new CEO

Bodycote has chosen a veteran of the engineering sector to run the company starting from early 2024.

The supplier of heat treatments, metal joining, hot isostatic pressing and coatings services, has chosen Jim Fairbairn as its next chief executive officer.

Fairbairn had three decades of experience in the sector, including at John Wood Group, Clyde Bergemann, Howden Group and Megger Group, where he held the role of divisional chief executive officer and then group CEO.

Bodycote's current chief, Stephen Harris, said: "I am confident Jim has the right skills and experience to continue to drive the Company's strategy and performance over the coming years.

"In the meantime, I remain focused on the initiatives we have in place to develop and solidify Bodycote's leadership position in its chosen markets."

At Megger Group, Fairbairn had overseen "material" growth in sales to reach £325m since joining in 2017.

Fairbairn was scheduled to join Bodycote's board in March 2024 and to assume his new post on 31 May of the same year.