Bodycote, the Macclesfield-based heat treatment and thermal processing giant, announced the appointment of Jim Fairbairn as group chief executive to succeed Stephen Harris on his retirement.

“Jim, 54, has considerable experience in managing engineering businesses, having worked with John Wood Group, PE-owned Clyde Bergemann, Howden Group and Megger Group in a career spanning over three decades, with substantial experience as a divisional and then group CEO,” said Bodycote.

“Jim joins Bodycote 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 £325m, 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 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 19 sites worldwide.

“During his time in Glasgow, Jim chaired the Glasgow Employer Coalition, helping long-term unemployed into work, for which he was awarded an OBE in 2007.”

Fairbairn is expected to join Bodycote and its board in March 2024 and become group chief executive in May 2024 following an orderly transition. 

Harris will step down from the board and retire from the company at the next AGM on May 31, 2024.

Fairbairn 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.