Kenny succeeds Julian Zhu, whose decade in the role saw the company’s profit and turnover increase year on year for the past five years. He also navigated the pandemic, led the establishment of SMD’s innovation division, and oversaw the expansion of the company’s UK facilities.
Julian explains: “It’s been a pleasure to serve as SMD’s CEO during an important time in our history. As a company committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions, this period has seen us reach significant milestones, including launching our first range of electric vehicles and establishing ourselves as a key player in the transition to electrification.
“I worked closely with my successor, Kenny, during his time as deputy CEO and general manager, and I look forward to seeing him lead SMD into its next phase of growth.”
Kenny’s appointment signals a commitment to continuity and a bold strategic vision for SMD, as it progresses toward its target of £90 million turnover by 2027.
“Kenny brings a sharp commercial focus, deep industry insight, and a clear passion for our mission,” said Mike Jones, chair at SMD. “Alongside his previous roles with Dynex and TEC, he has a strong track record supporting our global operations and working closely with our senior team. This makes him perfectly placed to deliver on the next stage of our vision and strategic aims.
“Julian’s leadership has left an enduring legacy of stability, ingenuity, and resilience, and we thank him for his decade of exceptional service.”
Incoming CEO, Kenny Liu, added: “SMD is known across the industry for its commitment to engineering excellence underwater. I am proud to be taking on this role as CEO at such a pivotal time for the business.
“Our team is delivering market-leading solutions to clients across the globe, and my focus will remain on building strong customer partnerships, accelerating innovation, and creating the operational resilience needed for continued sustainable growth.”
For more information on SMD’s latest innovations, please visit: https://www.smd.co.uk/
