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EDS Group appoints ex-Siemens Director

By: Chris Anderson 30/10/2015 EDS/Image via Linkedin

General

Leading high voltage (HV) engineering contractor, EDS Group, has appointed an ex-Siemens director as its new executive chairman.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the energy and industrial markets, Ron Smith will work with the current directors to lead the strategic direction of the business. His main remit will be to help refine and expand the firm’s full-service offering for offshore wind farm customers across Europe, incorporating both developers and operators.

Ron joined Siemens in 1975 as a sales and commissioning engineer in the offshore oil and gas division and worked his way up through the ranks to become the youngest executive management board member in 1997.
During his time at Siemens, Ron was the UK director for corporate strategy and co-ordinated innovation, best practice and strategic resourcing programmes across Europe. He also led people development initiatives ranging from Apprenticeship and IET (The Institute of Engineering and Technology) undergraduate sponsorship schemes to emerging talent and executive development programmes.

In his last major operational CEO role, Ron oversaw the launch of Siemens into the emergent offshore wind farm sector, whereby Siemens gained an 80% market share in just four years. At the same time he chaired numerous other limited companies in the energy sector, as well as participating in various public and community boards and committees, particularly in the North of England.

Ron according to EDS has hands-on experience of building profitable and sustainable businesses from the ground up, and after taking early retirement from Siemens in 2010 he launched his own company, AddVantage UK Ltd, to coach and mentor start-up entrepreneurs and to provide leadership direction to senior management teams at SMEs seeking to realise significant growth potential.

Talking about his appointment, Ron said: “I’m joining EDS Group at such an exciting time, with the company firmly focused on expanding into new markets to ensure continued growth."

“The Group has a dedicated, experienced and highly competent team and is making considerable investments in developing its highly innovative portfolio of products and services. Most importantly for the offshore business, it has a flawless health and safety track record.

Ron further commented:“Together we’ll develop a clear roadmap of where we want the business to be in the next few years and how to become an all-encompassing service provider that successfully manages and undertakes complete turnkey solutions, while still retaining our core cable terminations skills.”

Ken Ritson, director at EDS Group, added: “Having Ron on board is a real coup for us and his knowledge of leading businesses in our industry will prove invaluable.

“Ron will help us to develop our turnkey offer, developing the skills and expertise of our people and the experience within the team as well as pre and post termination support packages. He will bring the energy, enthusiasm and experience we need to enhance the skills and abilities of our management team, which will hopefully spur us on to further growth over the coming years.”

In operation since 1993, the group provides services through its 2 divisions, HV Management and HV Services.

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EDS Group appoints ex-Siemens Director

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