Lawyer Shaun Morris and chartered accountant Alasdair Younie are new board members of Ascendant Group Limited.The appointments were approved at the company’s Annual General Meeting held on Friday, and followed the retirement of former board chairman J Michael Collier and director Stanley Oliver. Mr Collier, who had been President and chief executive officer of the Bank of NT Butterfield & Son Ltd was a director of the company since 1989. He served as chairman from 2004 until 2012. Stanley Oliver had been a director since 2004. He was the retired head of Civil Service.The current chairman Reginald Minors said: “Ascendant Group has benefited in myriad ways over the years from the experience and knowledge that these two men have brought to the table. We have enjoyed working with them, and we are extremely grateful for their service, wise counsel and dedication to furthering the company’s progress.”Mr Morris is general counsel and group chief legal officer at the Bank of NT Butterfield & Son Limited. Prior to joining Butterfield Bank, Mr Morris was managing partner at Appleby (Bermuda) Limited, Barristers and Attorneys. He holds a Master's Degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from the London School of Economics. In addition, he is a former director of the Bermuda Monetary Authority and past chairman of the Board of Governors of CedarBridge Academy.Mr Younie is a director of ICM Limited, a Bermuda-based fund management company. He is a chartered accountant with experience in corporate finance and investment, having worked previously in corporate finance at Arbuthnot Securities Limited and PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. Mr Younie is also a director of Bermuda National Limited, Bermuda First Investment Company Limited and West Hamilton Holdings Limited.The new appointees join a board which has recently undergone a major review. Walter Higgins, Ascendant Group President and CEO, said: “Over the past 12 months, we have undertaken a thorough assessment of the skills that will be required for the board to govern Ascendant Group successfully in a changing marketplace. We are, therefore, pleased to welcome Mr Morris and Mr Younie, each of whom brings needed expertise to the board.” He added: “Earlier this year, we also welcomed to the board Michael L Schrum, who is chief financial officer at HSBC Bank Bermuda. We are confident that the three new directors will help to guide Ascendant Group successfully through challenging new waters.”Ascendant Group is Bermuda’s supplier of energy as the parent company of the Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (Belco) as well as Bermuda Gas & Utility Company Limited and AG Holdings Limited, which includes Air Care Limited, iFM Limited, iEPC Limited, PureNERGY Renewables, Ltd and Ascendant Properties Limited.Useful website: www.ascendantgroup.bm.