The appointment comes as part of PDi’s five-year growth
strategy, which has seen the business double in the last year, and signals the
company’s commitment to continuing to expand the scale and scope of their
projects business in the UK whilst winning and executing subsea and
decommissioning projects in the global arena.
Richard, who is the former CEO of Sapura Energy and General
Manager of Acergy Australia, has made the strategic decision to return back to
the UK and ready PDi for what is promising to be their most bold move yet to
transform the consultancy into a full-suite project delivery
organisation.
Reflecting on joining the team at PDi Richard said: "PDi
is currently going through a phase of huge expansion and is not only growing
domestically but has begun the process of re-setting their sights
internationally. I aim to support growing PDi internationally, using my
knowledge and history in this area to make this an easier process. PDi’s
team are ready for this journey and as such, in addition to the regional focus,
I would like to see the projects taken on by PDi increase in complexity.
"I have
spent 35 years working in the energy industry. I began my career as a projects
engineer and have worked through all levels through to the position of CEO.
Throughout my career I have gained experience managing all aspects of both oil
and gas and renewables projects at values greater than £1B. Additionally, I
have years worth of extensive overseas experience, developing and building
companies, that will prove vital to achieving my objectives at PDi."
Richard Leetham, newly appointed Projects Director
PDi Global Business Development Director, Kirstie Langan added: "For a business like ours to have a highly respected project veteran like Richard leading the charge on our international and complex projects plans is hugely exciting.
"Our clients tell us that they want smaller, ambitious organisations to take broader project scopes, providing they can demonstrate their systems, processes and people are up to the challenge of higher risk, higher complexity workscopes that don’t fit the traditional consultancy delivery model. Richard’s depth and breadth of experience coupled with his genuine passion for our unique and highly capable business will ensure we are fully set up for continued success, and can deliver on our promises’
Summarising the value PDi look to gain from this strategic appointment and continued investment, Stuart Cochrane, PDi’s Managing Director reflects: "The appointment of Richard is a key step in PDi realising our ambitious growth targets.
"To build and maintain strong relationships with our existing and new clients as they entrust us to deliver on larger, more complex project scopes, we must demonstrate the strength of capabilities, processes and focus required meet their expectations.
"Richard represents these qualities in abundance, we will support him in building an effective and high-performing project delivery capability and continue to invest in our business to take full advantage of the opportunities we see, particularly in the decommissioning sector, both domestically and internationally."