OGA chief exec makes first three senior appointments to his team

The first senior appointments to the new Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) have been made.

Chief executive, Andy Samuel, has selected the first of his three directors of the new regulatory body, created following Sir Ian Wood’s review of the UK oil and gas industry in 2014.

Simon Toole, currently head of offshore licensing, exploration and development in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will become director of licensing and legal.

Mr Toole will lead the OGA’s onshore exploration and production activity, industry-wide licensing and disputed resolution.

Stuart Payne has been appointed as director of change and organisational development, and will lead the design and ongoing development of the OGA organisation with responsibility for managing human resources.

The third appointment is Ian Mackenzie as chief implementation officer.

Mr Mackenzie will lead the finance, procurement, internal audit and IT activities that will establish the OGA as an arms-length organisation.

Andy Samuel, chief executive of the OGA, said: “I’m delighted to announce these important appointments which are central to the development and success of the Oil and Gas Authority.

“I will continue to build on the expertise and strengths of the existing team, ensuring we have the capacity to drive a focused strategy that maximises economic recovery of oil and gas resources in the UK.”