CEO Ken Lewsey has elected to step down from the company after taking over the top role from Keith Gordon in 2013.

The company’s chief operating officer Ian Testrow will expand his responsibilities to take in the CEO and managing director roles, while chief financial officer Greg Hawkins has been welcomed onto the board as executive director, finance. 

Testrow will particularly focus his efforts on all customer facing parts of the Emeco business while Hawkins will continue to cover the equity and debt market facing activities in addition to the other aspects of his finance role.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution that Ken Lewsey has made during his time as CEO,” Emeco chair Alex Brennan said. 

“The board asked Ken to refocus Emeco on its customers, review its strategy and, given the current circumstance in the mining services industry, significantly reduce costs. He has made a major contribution in all of these areas. 

“In his work leading the project fit cost reduction initiative it became clear to Ken that further management downsizing was required and, accordingly, he has decided that it is now time for him to step down.”

Lewsey will remain available over the next few months to assist with transitions.

Testrow joined Emeco in 2005, managing the company’s exit from the US in 2010 and developing the business in Chile and Canada.

Testrow has been chief operating officer of the company since 2014 and has previously worked for the likes of Wesfarmers, BHP, Thiess and Dyno Nobel. 

Hawkins joined Emeco last year, leaving his role as CEO of African Barrick Gold, prior to which he was the chief financial officer of the company’s Australia Pacific division.