Executive Director. Aged 65, is a British national who was born in Iran. He received a BSc in Agriculture from Jerusalem University in 1966. In 1979, he became a self employed businessman before working in a variety of senior investment roles in Prudential Bache and Shearson Lehman Brothers. Since 1989, he has been Chairman of Swan Overseas Limited which has been involved in a variety of agricultural businesses including projects in Ukraine.
Masoud has broad experience at board level in a number of public companies. Between 1993 and 1998, he was Chief Executive of Middlesex Holdings plc, an international company quoted on AIM, which then operated predominantly in Russia and other CIS countries. He is Director of Berkeley Mineral Resources Plc, a mineral acquisition company, which is traded on AIM, Director of ESV Group plc a company which invests in grain exporting facilities in Ukraine, and Dominion Energy Plc, an oil and gas company which are both listed on the PLUS market.
Non Executive Director. Aged 62, is a Middle East specialist with particular interest in source rock geochemistry. Dr Ala has been closely associated with the oil industry for more than 30 years both as an exploration geologist with an independent oil company and as a consultant. He has a BSc in Oil Technology and an MSc, PhD and DIC in Petroleum Geology from Imperial College. Having completed his PhD at Imperial College, London he joined an exploration company, Seagull Exploration Limited, evaluating prospects in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean before becoming General Manager responsible for its North European and Middle Eastern operations.
In 1978, Michael joined the academic team at Imperial College becoming Senior Academic and Director of the internationally recognised MSc Petroleum Geoscience course 1994 to 2004, and currently lectures at the college. Over the past 15 years he has written over 50 research papers and publications, appeared as an industry commentator; on radio and TV and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Petroleum Geology; arranged high profile conferences on the Iranian oil and gas industries and been involved in developing, organising and presenting industrial training courses throughout Europe, North Africa and Southeast Asia. He is co-founder (1988) and Director of Hydrocarbons Venture Limited, a UK based organisation involved in consultancy and participation in exploration projects. Currently, he is also Chairman of Azar Energy Qeshm, a company he co-founded in 2003 with the aim of participating in the Iranian oil and gas sector projects.
Non Executive Financial Director. Aged 54, is a Chartered Accountant who worked previously with chartered accountants Ernst & Young and subsequently with Deloitte & Touche LLP. He then continued his career with Middlesex Holdings Plc followed by Riceman Insurance Investments plc, both companies being quoted on AIM.