Offshore Energies UK, the leading trade body, is driving the strategic agenda for the offshore energy sector and its stakeholders by announcing two key Board officer changes alongside appointing four new industry leaders including a leading figure representing the emerging offshore wind sector.
The move demonstrates the industry’s commitment to a sustainable future and reflects the growing number of OEUK members that are expanding into renewables, while continuing to drive ever cleaner energy production.
Doris Reiter, bp’s Senior Vice President North Sea succeeds Neil McCulloch as Operator and Developer Chair, having previously served as Vice Chair to the Board, with Scott Barr, Managing Director UK Business Unit at Harbour Energy, becoming Operator and Developer Vice-Chair.
Dr Reiter said:
“I’m proud to work in an industry so rich with heritage, abundant with talent and ripe with opportunity that can be unlocked by applying the pioneering spirit that has powered it for six decades. Connecting our intellect, innovation and diversity of experience will be our shared driving force as we continue delivering the homegrown energy the UK needs today – and I’m extremely enthusiastic about playing my part.”
Scott Barr said:
“This is a pivotal time for our industry, and I look forward to continuing my work with OEUK in this position. Together with my fellow Board members and the wider industry, we must continue our efforts to safely maximise the potential of our remaining oil and gas reserves and reduce our emissions, while protecting skilled jobs and delivering a resilient energy provision for the UK.”
The four new members appointed to the OEUK Board are Luciano Vasques, Chief Executive Officer at Ithaca Energy, Nathan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer at Kellas Midstream, Diane Frachon, SLB’s Corporate Ventures and New Energy UK Director, along with Barry MacLeod, Managing Director at Flotation Energy, a leading developer of offshore wind projects.
As CEO of Ithaca Energy, Luciano Vasques’s wealth of executive and energy industry experience spans over 30 years covering a range of leadership, technical and operational roles. Having joined Ithaca Energy in 2024 from Eni, he has a track record of successfully overseeing and delivering multibillion dollar developments and operations worldwide.
Mr. Vasques served as a member of the boards of equivalent associations in Kazakhstan and Italy. Additionally, he held a position on the steering committee of the North Sea Transition Deal, led by the North Sea Transition Authority.
Nathan Morgan is CEO of Kellas Midstream, which owns and operates North Sea gas infrastructure that plays a strategic role in the UK’s energy security, alongside spearheading low carbon hydrogen projects. Prior to joining Kellas, he spent over 20 years in the international energy sector where he held a variety of senior roles within TotalEnergies across Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. He specialises in areas including business development, strategy and planning, economic analysis and asset management.
Over the course of her 20-year career, Diane Frachon has developed multi-faceted expertise spanning manufacturing, product development and project management, strategy, sales and supply chain in an array of industries in Europe, the Middle East, the USA and South America. At SLB, she leads early-stage technology investments for the company’s key growth areas such as industrial decarbonisation, renewables & energy efficiency, and critical minerals businesses, which she also oversees in the UK.
Barry Macleod is Managing Director within Flotation Energy, the offshore wind developer behind the Green Volt and Cenos Floating Offshore Wind Farms in the North Sea and a wider portfolio of offshore wind in England, Ireland and globally in Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Flotation, Barry has held several executive leadership roles, including two years as CEO of EPCI company Rever Offshore and 5 years as UK MD of Bibby Offshore, his early career was carved in engineering and project management roles delivering major offshore construction projects both in the North Sea and globally from West Africa to Canada.
The appointments come at a time when OEUK is highlighting the strategic value of domestic oil and gas and calling for a robust process that provides clarity to investors and certainty to decision makers to help deliver a sustainable energy future.
David Whitehouse, CEO Offshore Energies UK comments:
“On behalf of our Board, I’d like to thank Neil for his invaluable contribution. We look forward to continuing to benefit from Doris’s significant input as she steps into her new role on the Board. We welcome Luciano Vasquez, Nathan Morgan, Diane Frachon and Barry Macleod and look forward to benefiting from their experience and skills as we work together to shape the future of our energy system. The next six months will be critical to the future of those working in the sector, along with the communities that depend on those jobs, and the wider UK economy.”
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