ASCO, the leading oil and gas services business, has today announced the appointment of Peter France as Chief Executive Officer with effect from October 1, 2018. Peter’s most recent executive role was as CEO of Rotork plc, the industry-leading manufacturer of actuator and flow control equipment in the oil and gas sector and other end-markets, and a member of the FTSE 250.
Peter joined Rotork in 1989 and served in numerous parts of the organisation including across the sales team and as both regional and sector head. He joined the main board of the company in 2006, became Chief Operating Officer in 2007, and Group Chief Executive in 2008. In his nine year tenure as CEO, Peter transformed the company, growing revenue threefold to over £650m in 2017 and the number of employees from 1,400 to 3,800. In his time at Rotork, Peter led the acquisitions of 27 companies as well as driving significant organic growth across the company.
Peter France commented:
“ASCO is an outstanding business with a reputation for excellence across the oil services industry. I am looking forward to becoming part of the community in Aberdeen and to working closely with my new colleagues, customers and suppliers across the world to build on the long and successful history of the company. ASCO has an exciting future ahead of it and I am delighted to be on board.”
John Gemmell, Chairman of ASCO and Partner at DH Private Equity Partners, said today:
“The appointment of Peter France signals DH Private Equity Partners’ ongoing commitment to ASCO. We are fortunate to have found such an experienced leader with an outstanding track record of growth to steward ASCO through the next stage of its development. ASCO is a truly international business with a great team and a highly promising future. Together with the rest of the Board and our colleagues across the world, we look forward to working with Peter to continue ASCO’s successful journey.”
Peter replaces Alan Brown, who was appointed CEO of ASCO in 2014 and who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.
John Gemmell continued:
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Brown for his leadership over the last four years during what has been a difficult period in the oil and gas market. During Alan’s tenure, ASCO has invested heavily in its systems to support and optimise customers’ supply chains, has invested in developing value-added services in Materials Management, Waste handling & Marine, and has maintained the highest standards of service. ASCO is now much better placed to support customers than when he joined in 2014.”
Alan Brown commented:
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead ASCO through a very challenging time for the oil and gas industry. I wish Peter and my colleagues every success over the coming years.”