James qualified as a chartered accountant (ACA) in 1983 after gaining a B.Sc. in Geology from Exeter University. James spent 20 years in the financial services sector with particular focus on financial operations and compliance; including key management appointments and directorships at LIFFE Ltd, The London Clearing House Ltd and Cargill Investor Services Ltd. In 2002 he became an independent consultant and has worked with a wide range of companies on a variety of accounting, financial and fund raising issues.

Coen Leo
Non-Executive Director, MPX Energy Limited

Coen, a Dutch national and trained geoscientist, spent a major part of his career with Statoil in different roles within the upstream industry. He has led several exploration projects in Norway and helped PTTEP in Thailand to build-up a technical department. As chief geophysicist in OKIOC he was directly involved in the Kashagan discovery in the Caspian Sea. Returning to The Netherlands, Coen joined Wintershall as area manager for the exploration and development of circa 20 operated blocks in the North Sea. He became director of Gas Plus for international upstream expansion and within two years brought Gas Plus an attractive exploration portfolio, including two commercial discoveries offshore in Romania. In November 2008 he joined Sorgenia as Vice President Exploration Europe.

Jon Wood
Non-Executive Director, MPX Energy Limited

Jon was previously Vice President, Administration and Investor Relations at Serica Energy Corporation and a member of their management team from the foundation of the Company. He has over 32 years commercial experience, half of which has been spent in the Far East with companies as diverse as Lesney, TNT and PhotoMe International. In the 1980’s Jon founded and eventually sold his own company, Johnson’s Fresh Products Ltd which focussed on fresh juices. In 1994 he formed a Business Consultancy specialising in advice and fund raising to diverse start-up companies.

Frank Barker
Exploration Advisor

Frank graduated from Aberdeen University with a M.Sc. in Palynology. He has 29 years experience in the oil industry, of which 22 years have been with operating companies, including Chevron and ARCO. Upon leaving ARCO he joined PGL as Principal Geologist where he was instrumental in setting up Ternan Ltd and acted as its Exploration Director. Frank has worked in exploration in the UK, Ireland, Turkey, the Middle East, Egypt, West Africa, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. His areas of technical expertise include all aspects of exploration geology, seismic interpretation and basin modelling.

Marilyn Merryweather
Exploration Advisor

Marilyn graduated with a B.Sc. in Geology from Durham University, followed by a M.Sc. in Marine Earth Science from University College, London. She has 33 years oil & gas industry experience mainly gained at Amoco and ARCO. She is an interpretation geophysicist and prospect generator and has acquired extensive knowledge and expertise in all aspects of exploration and field development/management. Following the closure of ARCO, Marilyn worked for new entrants, Tullow and EOG Resources, assisting them to establish and build their asset bases in the UK.

Adam Harris
Exploration Advisor

Adam graduated from Imperial College with a M.Sc. in Petroleum Geology. He has 27 years oil industry experience, including 24 years within operating companies. He combines a strong set of geologic and oil finding skills with commercial expertise and has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of exploration and field appraisal activities from a number of basins. Adam’s technical strengths include prospect generation, formation evaluation and seismic interpretation. His commercial strengths, gained as a Commercial Manager with ARCO, Powergen and Centrica, include economic and risk assessment of investment opportunities and negotiation of commercial agreements.