Golar LNG Appoints New CEO

Specialist LNG shipowner and project developer Golar LNG has changed its CEO for the second time in 16 months, announcing Iain Ross has been appointed with immediate effect to succeed Oscar Spieler, appointed May 2016. 

The company said September 21 that Spieler's main remit on becoming CEO had always been the successful delivery of FLNG Hilli Episeyo, the LNG production vessel now being deployed offshore Cameroon but not yet producing. It said he would remain with the group as an executive advisor and assist Ross until charterers Perenco and SNH, the joint developers of Cameroon FLNG, accept FLNG Hilli Episeyo.  Golar’s board thanked Spieler for his crucial role in conceiving the project, progress to date and delivering it “so close to schedule and within budget.”

“Identification and appointment of Oscar's successor was expected to coincide more closely with the Hilli Episeyo's acceptance however the earlier than anticipated opportunity to secure the services of Ross has accelerated this process,” said the company.

He joins from  Australian contractor WorleyParsons Limited where he has held various executive level positions since 2002 including group managing director, for development. A mechanical engineering graduate from Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, he has skills that Golar said it expects to serve it well as it seeks to move out along the LNG value chain to develop gas-to-power opportunities, for instance at its Sergipe project in Brazil.

Mark Smedley