High voltage engineering specialist EDS, part of James Fisher and Sons, has appointed Ryan Henderson as its new managing director.

Henderson will become managing director on 1 January 2020 at which point Ken Ritson, current MD and founder of the business will take up a new role as a non-executive director.

Prior to joining EDS, Henderson spent over 20 years at Northern Ireland Electricity as well as 2 years working for Vattenfall and EDF immediately prior to joining EDS.

Ritson said: “This is not a decision I have taken lightly and after several months of planning, I now feel that this is the right time for the change to take place. I have no doubt whatsoever that Ryan is the best person to take up the position of Managing Director and I am confident that he will successfully lead EDS on the next stage of its journey.”

Henderson added: “I am thrilled to be taking up the position of Managing Director of EDS. With such an excellent reputation within the industry, they are a company that I am proud to work for. It is a great honour to take up the position and be given the opportunity to lead the company, especially at a time when the renewables sector is in such a great place.”

Fergus Graham, executive director at James Fisher & Sons, said: “I am delighted that Ryan is taking on this leadership role at such an exciting time for James Fisher as we grow our renewables businesses. The EDS acquisition has been a resounding success, and we are very pleased that Ken will be staying with the Group and helping to shape our future in the renewables market.”