Veteran North Sea executive Bill Bayliss has been named as chief executive of communications and security tech firm Optilan.
He moves to the Coventry firm from ICR Integrity in Aberdeen where he has been CEO since June 2016. Bayliss will take over from Optilan founder Richard Buckland after a short handover period.
Bayliss is a qualified engineer who was previously group CEO of offshore services business Viking SeaTech in Aberdeen and COO of Topaz Energy and Marine in Dubai.
Optilan serves sectors including energy, critical national infrastructure, pipeline and rail and has hubs are in Dubai, following the acquisition of Telinstra in 2018, and in Houston. It employs 240 people as well as field experts brought in for specific projects. The business has grown by nearly 30% since investment by Blue Water Energy in 2017 and secured major project wins in Oman and Nigeria.
Chairman Malcolm Fallen said, “Richard has created a hugely successful, international business over the past 30 years and leaves the company in extremely good health. I know I speak for everyone when I say he will be dearly missed.”
“We are however pleased to welcome Bill to Optilan and his extensive experience of building and running international businesses, as well as his engineering background, will ensure that Optilan continues to grow in a safe pair of hands.”
Bayliss said: “Optilan is a highly respected company, leading the way in security and communications solutions. I am excited to use my experience and build on where Richard has taken the company and continue its ambitious growth.”
