Stephen Whyte

Chairman and Non-Executive Director

Stephen Whyte is a seasoned FTSE and AIM Chairman and Non-Executive Director in the global energy sector with direct experience in Kazakhstan. Stephen was previously Chairman at Genel Energy and Sound Energy and a Non-Executive Director at Echo Energy and JSC National Company KazMunaiGas. Stephen was appointed as a Board observer to the Company on behalf of the noteholders during the Restructuring. Stephen is also an Independent Non-Executive Director at Beacon Energy.

Arfan Khan

Chief Executive Officer

• 35 years of total industry experience.
• From January 2020 until joining the Company, President of Stratum Energy Group (Romania).
• From April 2014 to December 2019, COO of Amni International Petroleum (Nigeria).
• From April 2012 to March 2014, Petroleum Engineering Director at Maersk Oil (Angola).
• From August 2002 to March 2012, Chief Production Engineer at Shell (Nigeria & Kazakhstan).
• Pre-2002: 12 years with ExxonMobil Gulf-of-Mexico Reservoir Development (US).
• Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
• Holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Tulane University.

Fiona Paulus

Independent Non-Executive Director

Fiona Paulus has 37 years of investment banking experience. She has held senior roles at leading international investment banks. These include Head of International Investment Banking at CIBC, EMEA Head of Private Equity & Infrastructure Funds at Royal Bank of Scotland, Global Head of Energy and Resources at ABN AMRO Bank, and various senior roles at Societe Generale, JPMorgan & Citigroup in the UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Fiona is a Senior Adviser in the Metals & Mining business at Gleacher Shacklock LLP and currently a Non-Executive Director at Interpipe Group and JSW Steel Limited.

Martin Gudgeon

Non-Executive Director

Martin Gudgeon is a Partner and Chairman of the EMEA & Asia Restructuring and Special Situations Group (“RSSG”) at PJT Partners, based in London. Mr. Gudgeon is also a member of the firm’s RSSG Operating Committee. Prior to joining PJT Partners, Mr. Gudgeon worked at Blackstone for eight years, serving as a Senior Managing Director. Previously, Mr. Gudgeon was the Chief Executive and Head of Restructuring at Close Brothers. Martin was previously a Non-Executive Director at Genel Energy.

Christopher Hopkinson

Independent Non-Executive Director

Christopher Hopkinson has 35 years of experience in the global oil and gas and energy sectors. Chris began his career with Shell International, followed by technical and management roles with Yukos and Lukoil Overseas, before becoming Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Energy Group up until its acquisition by ONGC in 2009. He was then Vice-President Western Siberia for TNK-BP, Senior Vice-President North Africa for BG Group, Chief Executive Officer of International Petroleum Limited, and Chief Operating Officer for JSC National Company KazMunaiGas. Chris is currently non-executive Chairman of Enwell Energy, interim Executive Chairman of IGas Energy and founder of Astra Resources Management and Antelopus Energy.

Viktor Gladun

Non-Executive Director

Mr Gladun is a business manager with extensive experience in the energy sector. Viktor was the CEO and executive director on the board of directors of JKX Oil and Gas plc, a UK-headquartered hydrocarbon exploration company, from 2019 through 2022, after having served as Acting CEO of JKX during 2017-2018. Viktor also served as the CEO of JKX’s Ukrainian subsidiary Poltava Petroleum Company JV from 2016-2022. Prior to that he held executive financial roles at DTEK & NIKO, a senior auditor position at TNK-BP and a tax consultant position at Arthur Andersen.