The chairman of major oil and gas services group Petrofac has stepped down for undisclosed “compassionate reasons.”
The firm, which has around 5,000 staff in the north east of Scotland, said Norman Murray had been replaced at the helm by senior independent director Rijnhard van Tets with immediate effect.
Mr van Tets has served on Petrofac’s board since 2007. He took over the senior independent director role in May 2011, the month Mr Murray was appointed chairman.
Thomas Thune Andersen was nominated to fill the senior independent director void.
“It is with tremendous sadness that I step down from the board,” Mr Murray said in a statement to the City yesterday.
“I would like to thank my board colleagues for their support during my tenure and their understanding of my current situation.
“I leave Petrofac in good shape and the board in Rijnhard’s experienced and capable hands.”
Group CEO Ayman Asfari said: “I would like to thank Norman for leading the board so effectively for the last three years. Whilst it is with great sadness that we accept his resignation, we understand his reasons and our thoughts and best wishes remain with him and his family.”