Governance Framework
The Board
The Board is chaired by Atul Gupta and meets a minimum of four times a year. The Board is collectively responsible to shareholders for the long-term success of the Group. This is achieved by reviewing trading performance, budgets and funding, setting and monitoring the Groups strategic objectives, reviewing acquisition opportunities and engaging with stakeholders. The Board is supported by a number of committees whose Terms of reference (TORs) are available on our website.
Chairman
Responsible for leadership of the Board and for ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role.
Chief Executive Officer
Responsible for the successful planning and execution of the objectives and strategies agreed by the Board.
Non-executive directors
Responsible for bringing an external perspective, sound judgement and objectivity to the Board’s decision-making. Scrutinise management performance and constructively challenge strategy.
Senior Independent Director
Provides a sounding board for the Chairman and a trusted intermediary for the other directors.
Audit Committee
Responsible for oversight of the Group’s financial reporting processes. Scrutinises the work of the external auditor and regularly reviews the risk management framework and the work of internal audit.
Chairman:
Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt.
Nomination and Governance Committee
Reviews the structure, size and composition of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations to the Board accordingly, and leads the process for new Board appointments.
Chairman:
Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt.
Remuneration Committee
Reviews and recommends to the Board the executive remuneration policy and determines the remuneration packages of the directors.
Chairman:
Mark Martin
Company Secretary
Responsible for advising the Board, through the Chairman, on all governance matters and for ensuring that Board procedures are complied with and there is a good flow of information between the Board and its committees. The appointment of the Company Secretary is a matter reserved to the Board as a whole.
Chairman:
Thomas Hartnett
Senior management team
The senior management team supports the Chief Executive Officer in making important decisions regarding the overall management of the Group in respect of all Group matters that are not reserved for the Board and ensuring that operational activities and performance are aligned with the overarching strategy of the Group. Each member of the team reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, who then directly reports to the Board.
The functional responsibilities of the senior management team members in their respective area include but are not limited to implementing Chief Executive Officer and Board decisions, allocating resources, managing risk, maximising efficiencies, guiding and developing employees, reviewing performance and supporting cross-functional integration.
Finance
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) corporate finance (ii) investor relations (iii) economic analysis (iv) tax (v) budget and control (vi) insurance (vii) risk management and (viii) ICT.
Head:
Tom Richardson
Business Development
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) hydrocarbon reserves management (ii) preparation and implementation of E&P strategy (iii) geological exploration and analysis (iv) asset portfolio management (v) market intelligence (vi) transaction management and (vii) peer analysis.
Head:
Sergey Khafizov
Operations
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) production engineering and reservoir management (ii) drilling and workover management production (iii) production (iv) engineering and construction field operations (v) relations with governmental authorities (vi) procurement (vii) research and development (viii) security and (ix) administration licensing.
Head:
Robert Tinkhof
Legal
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) all legal matters (ii) compliance (iii) corporate governance (iv) company administration and (v) internal communications.
Head:
Thomas Hartnett
Sales and Marketing
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) sales of oil and gas products (ii) marketing and (iii) logistics and transportation.
Head:
Arkadi Epifanov
QHSE
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) product quality, (ii) health, (iii) safety and (iv) the environment.
Head:
Daulet Tulegenov
Human Resources
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) personnel and the workforce matters generally (ii) training and (iii) remuneration.
Head:
Marina Grinevskaya
Nostrum recognises the important role that good corporate governance plays in the success of the Company. As a result, the Board promotes high standards of corporate governance as a key component of its activities. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, non-executive independence, boardroom and workplace diversity, an open and transparent culture and the work of our committees in implementing the Company’s values and policies throughout the Group are al vital ingredients to get this right for our stakeholders.
In order to ensure that it is involved in making important decisions for the Group and to ensure there is a clear division of responsibilities between the Board and executive management, the Board has identified certain ‘reserved matters’ that are subject to its approval. Other matters, responsibilities and authorities have been delegated to its committees and the senior management team as set ou tin the governance framework. The schedule of matters reserved for the Board is reviewed annually and is available here.
Division of responsibilities
On 27 November 2018 the Board resolved to expand the role of the Company’s Chairman, Atul Gupta, to give him certain executive responsibilities, in particular in relation to business development, strategic initiatives and investor relations. Notwithstanding this, in accordance with the Code, the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive remain separate, with each having distinct and clearly defined responsibilities, as summarized in the Board structure diagram. Mr Gupta’s new role as executive Chairman is to guide, advise, counsel and assist the Chief Executive Officer in overseeing the Company’s implementation of its strategy. The Chief Executive Officer remains responsible for line-management of his direct reports and implementation of the Company’s strategy.
The Chairman’s overarching role in leading an effective Board is supported by the Senior Independent Director, while the Chief Executive’s Officer’s strategic capabilities are strengthened by the Senior Management Team.
Independence
Robust oversight is crucial for strong corporate governance and the Board is committed to securing this through the appropriate balance of independent non-executive directors.
The Board considers all of its non-executive directors, other than Michael Calvey and Simon Byrne, to be independent within the meaning of such term as defined in the Code. Mr Calvey and Mr Byrne are not deemed to be independent as a result of having ben nominated by Baring Vostok Capital Partners and Mayfair Investments B.V. respectively, who are two of the largest shareholders in the Company.
Equality and diversity
The Board has due regard for the importance of, and benefits from, diversity in its membership, including gender diversity, and strives to maintain an appropriate balance on the Board. The Board is comprised of individuals with diverse sectoral experience, ages, geographic and ethnic origin and gender.
The Company has 11% female representation on its Board. The Nomination and Governance Committee remains satisfied tha the Board has the right mix of skills an experience to operate effectively, but remains committed to monitoring diversity closely and increasing diversity where possible as part of future succession planning.
Bribery, corruption and Whistle-blowing
Bribery and corruption are significant risks in the oil and gas industry and as such the Company operates a Group-wide Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy, which applies to all Group employees and contractor staff. The Policy requires annual bribery and corruption risk assessments; risk-based due diligence on all parties with whom the Company does business; appropriate anti-bribery and corruption clauses in contracts; and the training of personnel in anti-bribery and corruption meansures. In addition, the Company’s Code of Conduct requires that employees or others working on behalf of the Company do not engage in bribery or corruption in any form.
The Company has also adopted a Whistle-blowing Policy that takes account of the Whistle-blowing Arrangements Code of Practice issued by the British Standards Institute and Public Concern at Work.