Dennis Pimentel, a former apprentice at power firm Belco has been appointed as its new president with operational accountability.

Sean Durfy, who has been under fire over his management style, which led to a strike, will remain as president and chief executive of parent company Ascendant, although Mr Pimental has assumed control of Belco.

Mr Pimentel, who was vice-president of grid operations, took over his new role with immediate effect, it was announced yesterday.

He started at the company as an apprentice in 1989.

Mr Pimentel has also served in positions including specialist electrical fitter, operations and maintenance foreman and capital projects foreman.

The move came after two weeks of industrial action by the Electricity Supply Trade Union, which called for Mr Durfy and Robert Schaefer, the chief financial officer, to be fired.

David Burt, the Premier, announced on Sunday that the ESTU and Ascendant had settled on “a way forward” after the union imposed a work-to-rule over the departure of four Bermudian staff and grievances over Mr Durfy’s management.

The stand-off worsened on Friday as unionised staff went on strike, but the work stoppage was called off that evening after Ascendant obtained an injunction from the Supreme Court.