Bodycote names Jim Fairbairn as Group Chief Executive
October 18, 2023
Bodycote plc, headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, has announced the appointment of Jim Fairbairn as Group Chief Executive, to succeed Stephen Harris on retirement. Fairbairn is expected to join the company and its board in March 2024, transitioning to the GCE role in May 2024. Harris will then step down from the board and retire at the next Annual General Meeting in May 2024.
“The board is delighted to appoint Jim as Bodycote’s next Group Chief Executive,” stated Daniel Dayan, chair of Bodycote. “His track record in leading and developing specialist global industrial businesses and teams is outstanding and will enable him to contribute rapidly. His understanding of many of our processes, many of our customers, and the nature of our highly varied markets will be of enormous value. I look forward to working with Jim to drive the continuing development and growth of Bodycote.”
Jim Fairbairn has considerable experience managing engineering businesses, having worked with John Wood Group, PE-owned Clyde Bergemann, Howden Group and Megger Group over his three-decade career, with experience as a divisional and group CEO.
Fairbairn joins Bodycote directly from test & measurement specialist Megger Group in Dover, which he joined as Group CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, its revenues have materially grown to £325 million, with operating margins expanding significantly. He also meaningfully evolved Megger’s strategy and culture over this period. Prior to Megger, he held executive positions with Howden Group in Glasgow, Scotland, from 2009-2017, concluding his time there as President of the Howden Power, Environment and Process business with global product and service revenues of over $1 billion with nineteen sites worldwide.
During his time in Glasgow, Fairbairn chaired the Glasgow Employer Coalition, helping those who have been unemployed long-term transition into the workforce, for which he was awarded an OBE in 2007. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has an honorary Doctor of Science from City University.
Stephen Harris, current Group Chief Executive, added, “I am confident Jim has the right skills and experience to continue to drive the company’s strategy and performance over the coming years. In the meantime, I remain focused on the initiatives we have in place to develop and solidify Bodycote’s leadership position in its chosen markets.”
Download PM Review magazine
