ITF Names New CEO (UK)

ITF, the global technology facilitator, has confirmed today that Patrick O’Brien will become its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr O’Brien, who is currently the Group Director Strategic Business and Marketing with Wood Group Kenny, will officially begin his role on 1st April 2013 and takes over from Managing Director Neil Poxon who resigned in July 2012.

Dr O’Brien will be responsible for driving forward ambitious global growth plans and strengthening the development and deployment of innovative technology for the oil and gas industry’s most pertinent challenges through collaborative projects between its members.

A Chartered Engineer with close to 30 years’ oil and gas industry experience, Dr O’Brien started his career in a university spin-out company, MCS, which he helped to lead through successful product commercialisation, international growth and subsequently integration into a large service company. Dr O’Brien is a recognised expert in subsea riser mechanics, riser design and flexible pipe technology and has established an international reputation for his contributions to the industry. He is a Board Member and Director of Subsea UK and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Aberdeen.

ITF Executive Chairman Max Rowe said: “The selection process attracted a number of exceedingly high calibre candidates. I am delighted that Dr O’Brien has accepted the position and am looking forward to working closely with him to realise the organisation’s and its members’ ambitions. This is a fantastic coup for ITF and we strongly believe that Dr O’Brien is the ideal person to lead ITF on its continuing journey. I, the Board of Directors and the entire ITF team are looking forward to working with him.”

Dr O’Brien added: “I am delighted to be taking over at the helm of ITF and I eagerly look forward to utilising my extensive experience of joint industry project development work while at Wood Group Kenny and applying this experience to the wider industry level at ITF. While I will continue to develop ITF’s international growth ambitions, I will want to ensure that ITF plays a central role in the development of an oil and gas technology development strategy for the future of the UK continental shelf, and it will be one of my early priorities to position ITF for this role. In this context, I see ITF’s ability to tap into international technology development opportunities as only enhancing its ability to support UK activities.”

ITF, the technology facilitator for the global oil and gas industry, is a not-for-profit organisation owned by 29 international oil and gas operator and service companies. It is the only global collaborative R&D funding programme operating across continents. Since its formation in 1999, the organisation has facilitated the launch of more than 190 joint industry projects (JIPs) from early stage projects through to field trials and commercialisation. It aims to secure a further £50 million for technologies by 2015.

[mappress]

Press Release, January 7, 2013