Phil Kirk, Europe chief executive of Harbour Energy (LON: HBR), and founder of its predecessor Chrysaor, will step down at the end of this month.
Mr Kirk has notified the board of his intention to step down from the largest-producing company in the UK North Sea with immediate effect from February 28 “to consider other opportunities”.
He said: “It has been an honour to be part of the Harbour Energy story and, as I depart to consider other business opportunities, I am very proud of what we have achieved.
“Harbour has a clear strategy and focus and, as a shareholder, I look forward to supporting its continued evolution and growth.”
It is understood that the decision to step down was Mr Kirk’s, and not pre-planned as part of the creation of Harbour.
Harbour Energy is not expected to replace Phil Kirk in his role.
Mr Kirk was founder and CEO of Harbour’s predecessor, Chrysaor, which started up in 2007 and built up a portfolio to become one of the top producers in the UK North Sea.
Chrysaor made a multi-billion pound deal for a package of assets owned by Shell in 2017, which it followed up with a £2 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ North Sea portfolio in 2019.
Last year the business then completed a mega reverse-takeover of Premier Oil, culminating in the creation and listing of Harbour Energy in London.
Since then the business has been led by CEO Linda Cook.
She said: “Phil has been instrumental in the building of Harbour Energy over the past years.
“I thank him for his dedication to the Company and the UK oil and gas sector and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Prior to Chrysaor and Harbour Energy, Phil Kirk was a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in 1991 before joining Hess five years later, serving in a variety of roles including as head of finance for north-west Europe.
He later set up CH4 which acquired and operated the Markham field and associated satellites on the UK/Dutch median line.
After selling that business, he founded Chrysaor in 2007.
Harbour chairman R. Blair Thomas said: “I have worked with Phil for over 18 years in multiple successful ventures including Harbour Energy, and have admired his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his many contributions to the Company and wish him all the best for the future.”
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