AN INTERNATIONAL search has been launched for a top class management team to run the rescued Ferguson’s shipyard.

The Port yard was bought over last week by Clyde Blowers Capital, less than a month after it plunged into administration.

The Tele revealed last week how Jim McColl, the man behind the Clyde Blowers empire, has plans to invest up to £60m and create as many as 300 jobs.

Next month the yard will bid for two new hybrid ferries to be built for Caledonian MacBrayne and, if successful, work could start on the first vessel as soon as next April.

But the first fresh orders could arrive before then, as a UK firm could be ready to ask Ferguson’s to build a new ferry for them, with news expected within a week.

On the first day following the takeover, the new owner announced plans to create 80 jobs within 10 weeks.

A total of 30 former employees were re-hired immediately, with a further 40 under contract to start in mid November, while the rest of the jobs will be filled by external recruitment.

Now a leading Glasgow firm has been appointed to recruit a management team for the yard, which has been renamed Ferguson Marine Engineering.

Clyde Marine Recruitment will run the search for bosses who can lead the ‘rebirth of the facility’.

They will appoint a new managing director, several senior managers and a naval architect, with full details of the jobs advertised on the websites of both Clyde Marine Recruitment and Red the Consultancy.

Ian Livingstone, managing director of Clyde Marine Recruitment, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Clyde Blowers Capital to help find the management team that will breathe new life into this iconic shipyard.

“Our shore-based specialist agency, Red the Consultancy, will lead the recruitment activity backed up by Clyde Marine Recruitment, who have more than 30 years of experience in the marine industry and offices in Southampton, the Baltics, and Asia alongside our HQ in Glasgow.” Gavin McCallum, chief operations officer at Clyde Blowers Capital, said: “We have moved quickly to secure the future of this shipyard by employing some of the former workers.

“With the help of expert and specialist recruiters who have a truly global reach, we will put in place a team that will ensure Ferguson Marine Engineering has a very bright future.

“This is a new beginning for one of the most famous Scottish shipyards that will have a hugely positive impact on the economy of the local area and along the banks of the River Clyde up into Glasgow.

“And this is only the beginning.

“By hiring world class management, we are confident this yard will soon be competing on the global stage and accessing new markets.”