Wood Group has appointed Robin Watson as CEO, effective Jan. 1 2016. Watson will succeed Bob Keiller, who has decided to retire from Wood Group on Dec. 31, 2015, the company said in a news release.

Watson has served on the board since 2013, initially as CEO of Wood Group PSN and since April 2015, as group COO, the release said. With more than 25 years of oil and gas industry experience, Watson has been with the group since 2010, Wood Group Chairman Ian Marchant said.

“The group has made significant progress under Bob’s leadership and the board respects his decision to stand down at this time,” Marchant said. “Robin was identified as the stand out candidate to succeed Bob as part of our succession planning process, and we believe that his knowledge and experience will ensure an orderly transition.”