First Engineering names Brian Smith as Chief Executive Officer

Smith heads high technology solutions provider restructured senior management team.

First Engineering Limited ("FEL"), a leading manufacturer of high technology-driven engineering solutions, announced the permanent appointment of Brian Smith as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Smith transits into the role after serving as Chairman and Interim CEO since late 2009.

The announcement marks the next step in FEL's strategic reorganization, which has seen the company return to profitability by penetrating new industries, diversifying its customer base and redeploying leadership responsibilities. In addition to Mr. Smith's transition to CEO, Agnes Tan will continue her responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer, while Andrew Tan, Executive Director, Business Development and Steven Chia, Executive Director, Technical Services, will continue in their recently appointed roles.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Smith said, "Together with our newly established senior management team, I am proud to lead FEL into the next phase of its evolution. Our resiliency and return to financial stability is a direct result of our focus on transforming the business while remaining committed to the core competencies and relationships that are fundamental to our history. Through our strategic reorganization we have streamlined operations, established greater cost efficiencies and developed a platform to identify more innovative technologies and sophisticated products for customers, according to a First Engineering report.

"The next phase of our growth strategy includes FEL's continued sector diversification, expansion into new markets and geographies and greater investment into research and development. Each of these initiatives requires our continued and unwavering commitment to our customers, employees and business partners," Smith said.

Mr. Smith most recently served as interim Chairman and CEO of First Engineering Limited following the company's strategic reorganization, starting in 2009, and has more than 21 years of experience specializing in strategic operations and interim executive management. Prior to joining FEL, Mr. Smith was Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, advising and leading multinational corporations on strategic reorganizations and turnaround assignments.