Aberdeen-based Sparrows Group, a global equipment and integrated engineering services provider, has appointed John Grover to a newly created director-level role responsible for expanding the business globally.

Based at the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen (www.sparrowsgroup.com), he will spearhead the delivery of the company’s long-term diversification plan, as it looks to build on its successful performance history in the oil and gas, renewables and onshore industrial sectors.

Mr Grover joins Sparrows from Cape plc, where he was managing director of Cape Specialist Services. Before that, he worked for Baker Hughes PPS, GE and BJ Services, both in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Stewart Mitchell, chief executive officer at Sparrows, said: “We have seen fantastic growth in the renewables and onshore industrial markets in the last 18 months, and we recognised the need to have a role dedicated to our strategic expansion plans into these sectors, while continuing to support and develop our portfolio of oil and gas clients.

"John has a wealth of leadership experience and a proven track record in developing teams, as well as identifying new opportunities that will be vital to our continued success in these sectors.”

In a separate development, Sparrows Group has been granted a commercial registration to operate in Saudi Arabia. Sparrows Saudi Arabia — newly established in Dammam — will deliver services related to the extraction of oil and natural gas.

Mr Mitchell said: “We look forward to working closely with the local market to deliver the highest quality of safety and integrity, ensuring compliance for every project.”