PEOPLE

A reshuffle at ABB sees three new faces on the executive board, Jorgen Centerman, Jan Roxendal and Kjell Almskog. Centerman and Roxendal take on responsibility for automation while Almskog heads a new oil, gas and petrochemicals division. Armin Meyer, head of power generation, becomes head of products and contracting. Sune Karisson retains his post as head of power transmission, as does Renato Fassbind, the chief financial officer. Eberhard von Koerber and Howard Pierce are stepping down from the board.

* ARC appointee runs new office

Alan Williams is to lead a new sales, support and research office in Milton Keynes for Automation Research Corporation. Before joining ARC he was head of marketing and strategic accounts at Mitsibushi Electric. He brings with him over fifteen years of engineering and marketing experience.

* AMEC brings two on board

Jose Castillo-Bernause has joined the board of AMEC Construction as company director responsible for the company's 400 strong design and engineering resource. Bill Frankland has also been appointed as director of civil and structural engineering. Frankland has over 30 years experience including his work on the £1 billion Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong.

* Changes at the top of Foster Wheeler

Foster Wheeler has appointed Ian Bill as the company's chairman and chief executive. Bill has been at Foster Wheeler for 28 years, most recently as managing director of Foster Wheeler Energy. He replaces John Blythe, who moves to the US as senior vice president of the corporation following William Atwater's retirement.

* Birse puts head on the board