Harkand North America Salvaged by MBO

A team led by AJ Jain, Harkand North America Managing Director, has agreed to a management buyout (MBO) of Harkand’s North American and African business. The new company, to be named ETHOS OFFSHORE LIMITED, will continue to provide subsea engineering and construction services to Harkand’s existing US, Mexican and West African client base to market-leading standards.  

The new company, backed by investment funds advised and managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), is expected to have a contracted backlog of $145 million worth of projects. The move also could potentially safeguard more than 100 jobs across North America, Africa and Mexico.

The MBO has ensured that Ethos Offshore is able to deliver the full scope of subsea services to established clients, including ROV and diving, inspection, engineering, project management and survey services. This will provide a sound platform for growth as new opportunities arise. Operations in the three regions will continue to be led by AJ Jain as chief executive officer, supported by Brian Schacht, head of business development and communications, James Parker, head of North America operations and Doug Fieldgate, head of West Africa operations.