Vincent Ingham has taken over as Belco president and chief executive officer, replacing Garry Madeiros.

Mr. Madeiros will stay on as a director and also as CEO of the organisation's parent company Belco Holdings Ltd. until the end of the year, when Mr. Ingham will succeed him in that role too.

Michael Collier, chairman of Belco Holdings, said: "We are grateful to Mr. Madeiros for his many contributions to the company's progress over the past 22 years, including his 14 years as president and CEO.

"At the same time, we look forward to Belco's continued development under Mr. Ingham's leadership. He brings experience to the role, along with new vision and enthusiasm."

Mr. Ingham said: "I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of Garry Madeiros and the others who have led Belco over the past century. They and their teams have helped to build an organisation that enjoys a reputation for service and responsiveness.With the support and hard work of the entire Belco team, we will continue to build on the company's success, confronting new challenges and delivering new solutions to satisfy the Island's requirements."

Mr. Ingham has spent the bulk of his career at Belco. He joined the company in 1972, leaving in 1980 to join Conyers Dill & Pearman as corporate manager.

He returned to Belco in 1986 as senior mechanical engineer. In 1991, he was promoted to manager, engineering and planning and named executive assistant.

In 1993, he was promoted to vice-president, engineering and operations. He was named senior vice-president in 1994, executive vice-president in 1997, and EVP and chief operating officer in December 2001.