The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) has announced that its new chief operating officer will be William Welton.

Holding both Bermudian and British citizenship, Mr. Welton said of his appointment: "I am looking forward to using my experience in business and finance to help enhance the capabilities of such a valuable, well established organisation, doing critical work at a critical time for the planet."

Formerly the Bermuda Biological Station, BIOS was founded in 1903 as an independent marine science organisation by scientists from Harvard and New York University.

A registered Bermuda charity and a US not-for-profit organisation, Mr. Welton will have overall management responsibility for the business of BIOS, with particular focus upon business development, planning, treasury, land and ship operations, human resources, technology and government liaison.

The new COO has extensive global experience in investment banking, investment management and corporate finance, gained at BZW (Barclays), IBJ (Mizuho), First Chicago (JP Morgan) and Bank of Bermuda (HSBC).

Most recently, Mr. Welton has served at Bank of Bermuda HSBC as managing director and head of corporate development, head of corporate investment banking and markets and head of capital markets.

He has also served as a chief executive officer and a board director of various HSBC subsidiaries. BIOS president and director Dr. Anthony Knap said he is looking forward to the knowledge of management and business that Mr. Welton will bring to the organisation.

He said: "He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in management, finance and people, and we are delighted to have him on board."

Among other interests, Mr. Welton is also on the Board of Trustees of the Bermuda High School; the Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Bermuda; the Youth & Sport Development Committee of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation; and the Finance Committee of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

Mr. Welton is married to Helen Cooper; they have three daughters and a home in Sandys.