Partner Article

ITF appoints new CEO

ITF, the global technology facilitator, has confirmed today that Patrick O’Brien will become its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr O’Brien, who is currently the Group Director Strategic Business and Marketing with Wood Group Kenny, will officially begin his role on 1st April 2013 and takes over from Managing Director Neil Poxon who resigned in July 2012.

Dr O’Brien will be responsible for driving forward ambitious global growth plans and strengthening the development and deployment of innovative technology for the oil and gas industry’s most pertinent challenges through collaborative projects between its members.

A Chartered Engineer with close to 30 years’ oil and gas industry experience, Dr O’Brien started his career in a university spin-out company, MCS, which he helped to lead through successful product commercialisation, international growth and subsequently integration into a large service company. Dr O’Brien is a recognised expert in subsea riser mechanics, riser design and flexible pipe technology and has established an international reputation for his contributions to the industry. He is a Board Member and Director of Subsea UK and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Aberdeen.

ITF Executive Chairman Max Rowe said: “The selection process attracted a number of exceedingly high calibre candidates. I am delighted that Dr O’Brien has accepted the position and am looking forward to working closely with him to realise the organisation’s and its members’ ambitions. This is a fantastic coup for ITF and we strongly believe that Dr O’Brien is the ideal person to lead ITF on its continuing journey.”

Dr O’Brien added: “I eagerly look forward to taking the helm at ITF and using my extensive experience of joint industry project work, gained at Wood Group Kenny, on a wider industry level. My initial objectives are to continue ITF’s excellent track record of delivering high quality, relevant development projects to enable effective international collaboration that address key technology challenges. I want to engage more closely with oil and gas companies and governments around the world to facilitate local strategies for technology development and deployment, as well as making it easier for technology developers to secure funding for innovative projects.”

ITF, the technology facilitator for the global oil and gas industry, is a not-for-profit organisation owned by 29 international oil and gas operator and service companies. It is the only global collaborative R&D funding programme operating across continents. Since its formation in 1999, the organisation has facilitated the launch of more than 190 joint industry projects (JIPs) from early stage projects through to field trials and commercialisation. It aims to secure a further £50 million for technologies by 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by ITF .