Ezra Holdings Limited has declared the promotion two of its key executives.

Industry veteran Captain Adarash Kumar will become Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Group level to spearhead Ezra‟s burgeoning international operations. He has been with the Group since its listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited in 2003, forming part of the core team that has worked to transform Ezra to a leading provider of offshore O&G support services globally that it is today. Captain Kumar, 51, has served in the marine industry for more than 25 years and has been an executive director of Ezra since 24 March 2003.

Taking over the helm from Captain Kumar as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EMAS Marine, the Group‟s offshore support services division, is Robin Kirkpatrick. Mr Kirkpatrick, 52, will steer the division as it moves to fulfil its growth targets and further strengthen Ezra‟s operating brand „EMAS‟ in the market. Since joining the Group in April 2007, Mr Kirkpatrick has played a significant role in expanding its geographical reach. A mariner with 20 years of experience under his belt, he was appointed COO of EMAS Marine in December 2007.

Captain Kumar said: “EMAS is already well-known for its reliable, quality service and excellent safety record. Today, I‟m honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Ezra through its next growth phase as it builds itself into a world-class company in both subsea construction and offshore support services.”

Commenting on Ezra‟s move to strengthen its key management team, Mr Lionel Lee, the Group‟s Managing Director, said: “I would like to thank Captain Kumar and Mr Kirkpatrick for their dedication in growing the business and in executing Ezra‟s growth strategy thus far.

Our subsea services division, EMAS AMC is developing rapidly into another key earnings driver for the Group, while EMAS Marine will continue to grow its recurrent income as it adds new markets and clients. They constitute our twin engines of growth and will propel us forward in the coming decade.”

“In addition, our global operations will continue to expand rapidly, backed by the strong orders we have in hand, so we will require the support and direction of a vigorous and experienced management team to lead the charge forward.”

Since completing the acquisition of Aker Marine Contractors AS in March 2011, the Group has seen its orderbook grow rapidly. As at October 2011, the Group orderbook exceeded US$1.2 billion, US$745 million of which was attributable to its subsea construction division, which includes a subsea installation contract in the Gulf of Mexico awarded by BP Exploration & Production, Inc. Ezra also recently broke into the South American market, having announced in November 2011 a further US$231 million in charter awards for deployment of its offshore support vessels in South America and the Asia Pacific. Both Captain Kumar and Mr Kirkpatrick have assumed their new roles with effect from 1 January 2012.

Tags: Ezra Holdings Limited