The organisation which champions the UK�s £4bn subsea oil and gas industry has appointed Alistair Birnie to the post of chief executive.

The organisation which champions the UK's £4bn subsea oil and gas industry has appointed Alistair Birnie to the post of chief executive.

The industry stalwart, who is global head of technology for subsea controls with Aker Solutions and chairman of the Society of Underwater Technology in Aberdeen, will take up his post on October 1 succeeding David Pridden.

Subsea UK chairman, Bill Edgar, said: "David has done a tremendous job in establishing Subsea UK as a credible organisation, with a high national profile which delivers for its members on a variety of levels. He has initiated a range of programmes that will have a tangible impact on the sector."

A chartered engineer with 28 years' experience in the subsea industry, Birnie most recently spent six years with Nautronix, then championed new technology in the subsea sector for two years with ITF before joining Aker.

He said: "Subsea UK has come a long way in four years, and my aim is to further build on the success, ensuring that we work towards global recognition for the collective expertise, skills and technology of our member companies.

"We need to maintain our position and ensure that we project our experience onto the global stage."