Structural, leadership shake-up for Bristow
The air transport firm said the moves are being made in response to its clients’ focus on safety and regional efficiency.
Late on 8 June, Bristow Group Inc. announced structural and leadership changes it says will create ‘a strategically realigned and profitable company in an unprecedented downturn’. The air transport firm said the moves are being made in response to its clients’ focus on safety and regional efficiency.
The new Bristow will have two primary geographical hubs in key areas of business, Europe and the Americas, resulting in a more regionally focused, cost efficient and competitive business positioned to win more contracts, said the company. Bristow said: “When complete, these changes will result in a smaller, more nimble company, with the same intense focus on delivering safe, reliable service to customers, and positioned for future growth and profitability.”
Jonathan Baliff, president and chief executive officer, commented: “Bristow is fortunate to have the proven resources and significant bench strength to operate effectively given these changes. We remain committed to Target Zero safety and to our continued efforts to improve safety performance. From these two primary hubs, we will concentrate our capabilities to deliver more efficiencies to our clients, as we win more contracts and build a more successful future for Bristow.”
Bristow’s Europe hub includes Africa, Asia, Australia, Norway, UK, Turkmenistan and the Middle East. The company’s Americas hub includes Bristow Academy, US Gulf of Mexico, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, Canada and Brazil. The firm expects the structural change into two primary hubs to generate significant cost savings. Consequently, Bristow is announcing a number of leadership changes. Reporting directly to Baliff, Alan Corbett has been named vice-president Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia (EAMEA) and will be responsible for operations and commercial development in those areas, including Airnorth and Eastern Airways operations. He will also have oversight of commercial support activities, both in Houston and in the two primary hubs. Corbett previously served as Bristow’s regional director for the Europe Caspian Region.
Rob Phillips has been named vice-president Americas, responsible for operations and business development efforts in the US Gulf of Mexico, Trinidad, Canada, Suriname, Guyana, Brazil and Bristow Academy. He will also have global oversight of operational infrastructure support activities. He most recently served as vice-president of global business operations services. Phillips will continue to report to Baliff.
As part of this new structure, Chet Akiri, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer, and Bill Collins, senior vice-president global operations, have departed the company and their respective positions have been eliminated, said Bristow. Additionally, Chip Earle, senior vice-president and chief legal and support officer, has also departed the company.
The announced structural changes also include reducing the corporate group targeting government work, and moving oversight of commercial development, government and operational functions to the leaders in these geographic hubs. These structural changes also include the elimination of several other corporate positions.
Baliff said: “I would like to thank Chip, Chet, Bill and our other departing global employees for their contributions that made Bristow a better company. I wish them the best in their future endeavours.”