Bahrain-based Asry has appointed Nils Kristian Berge, the current commercial general manager, as its acting chief executive, to succeed Chris Potter, who will be leaving the company this month.

The Asry board confirmed the transition had been planned for several months in order to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of responsibilities.

"With new expansions and diversifications now completed and integrated at the yard under Potter’s valued guidance, Asry is now positioned for a new phase of progress, which Berge is ideally suited to spearhead," said Asry chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa.

"With more than 25 years of international maritime experience and detailed insight into the workings of Asry over his time as commercial general manager, our ambitious plans for the yard will be in capable hands," he stated.

On his new role, Berge said: "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to continue Chris’ excellent work. I intend to streamline the yard’s efficiency, lead it to greater stakeholder value, and consolidate its reputation so that it remains a source of pride for Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf."

Potter said he was leaving the organisation with many fond memories of the numerous people whom he has had the pleasure of working with.

"I am privileged to have overseen the huge transformation the company has undergone in recent years and I leave in the knowledge that Asry has a very secure future ahead," he added.

Training

Berge: overseeing a new phase

Meanwhile, Asry hosted a two-month training course for a group of students from Bahrain University. Asry placed the summer programme trainees in different departments and workshops throughout the shipyard, according to their academic majors in a move aimed at giving them an opportunity to understand labour market requirements and raising their awareness about the importance of training.

The training programme was also aimed at giving them an insight into the real work environment and the challenges and needs of the maritime industrial sector in general and Asry in particular.

"Asry is keen to collaborate with national educational institutions through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, which aim to train and qualify Bahrainis to work in this vital sector," Potter said.

"Asry has designed the students’ training programmes to meet the requirements of their academic specialisations and practical training and to qualify them to work in the maritime industry. The students received job appraisal reports based on their performance, and statements that describe their job responsibilities and challenges they faced during their training," he said.