A new chief executive is to take the reins at Cumbrian-headquartered marine services giant James Fisher and Sons later this year.

Eoghan O'Lionaird will take on the top job at the Barrow-based global company on October 1, when he will take over from current boss Nick Henry.

Mr O'Lionaird joins from Spectris Plc – a FTSE 250 company supplying precision instrumentation and controls – where he has served as divisional chief executive and as a member of its executive committee.

The engineer started his career in Japan with technical, marketing and management roles at Mitsui Kinzoku, before going on to hold senior management roles at Danaher Corporation and Royal Philips Electronics.

He will take a place on the James Fisher board a month earlier, on September 1

The company’s chairman, Malcolm Paul, said he was delighted to welcome O'Lionaird to the company after a thorough recruitment process.

“Eoghan has gained significant business experience in growing decentralised businesses both through organic and acquisitive strategies,” he said.

“A strong motivational and results driven leader, Eoghan has a history of creating highly engaged teams, which suits the James Fisher culture, and with excellent international business experience he has the drive to help take the Group to the next level.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to attract someone with his track record and I look forward to working with Eoghan and the Executive Team to continue to deliver the excellent growth potential inherent within our business."

The company said that Mr Henry, who has been chief executive for the last 15 years will also step down from the board on Mr O'Lionaird’s appointment.

He will, however, remain employed by James Fisher until March 31, 2020 to “ensure a smooth and effective transition of responsibility”, it added.