SURF contractor, Ceona, has appointed Mark Preece, as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Previously, the company’s executive vice president commercial and business development, Preece takes over from current CEO, Steve Preston, who after 40 years in the industry has decided to retire from operational management and step down.

John Smith, chairman at Ceona, said: “Steve is an inspirational leader who has worked with our teams to develop the strong building blocks for our business. His dedication to seeing the Ceona Amazon come to fruition, combined with his passion for innovation, saw him lead the project from design concept right through to the successful launch of the next generation, hybrid field development vessel, on time and on budget.

“We are sorry to see Steve go and extend our best wishes to him for the future, and look forward to Mark building on the foundations he has laid. Mark is a highly-experienced industry figure who has been involved with the subsea market for over 32 years. We believe he will be well placed to lead Ceona through what is an extremely challenging market environment for the industry as a whole.”

Mark Preece, added: “Working with Steve has been great and he leaves some big shoes to fill. But with the team’s support, especially chief operating officer Stuart Cameron, who has been fundamental in getting the company this far, and despite the strong head winds, I feel optimistic for the future.”