City round-up: James Fisher and Sons; Byotrol

Marine services group James Fisher and Sons has sold its testing services firm to Phenna Group for £5.7m.

James Fisher Testing Services (JFTS) operates a number of materials testing laboratories based in Warrington, Harlow and Portlaise, Ireland, in addition to maintaining a team of field-based technicians and engineers delivering site-specific services to the construction industry.

In a markets update James Fisher said: “The sale of JFTS is consistent with James Fisher’s strategy of delivering sustainable, profitable growth through market leading niche businesses in the marine, energy and defence markets.”

The board of Byotrol has announced changes to the board of directors and senior management positions within the company.

Nic Hellyer, its part-time CFO since May 2019, will resign to pursue other interests.

Byotrol is now in advanced discussions to replace him with a full-time CFO to be based in its Chester headquarters.

Nic has agreed to stay on to manage the transition until the end of December.

Rick Hayman, head of Byotrol’s Professional division and Managing Director of Medimark Scientific, which Byotrol formally acquired in January 2020, has now left Byotrol, but remains a supportive shareholder with a continued interest in the company’s future.

Rick has been replaced by Mark Kyte, formerly a senior sales and marketing professional at Diversey and at Gojo Industries, two of the leading companies worldwide in our core areas of business.