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Essar Oil UK appoints Mark Wilson as Chief Executive Officer

London, January 28th, 2020: Essar Oil UK today confirmed the appointment of Mark Wilson as Chief Executive Officer.  He will be based at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex and succeed S. Thangapandian, who informed the Board of his intention to return to India after almost three years in the UK.

Mark Wilson has international experience at the highest levels in both the downstream and petrochemical industries.  During his time at BP p.l.c. he held a number of senior leadership positions, including: Chief Executive Officer, Global Acetyls (Shanghai, China); President, Asia Aromatics and China Olefins & Derivatives (Shanghai);  Chief of Staff, Downstream (London) and Deputy General Manager, SECCO Ltd (Shanghai).   He previously worked for Innovene LLC as Vice President, Solutions BU (Brussels, Belgium).  Mark has a First Class Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Prashant Ruia, Non-Executive Chairman, Essar Oil UK said:  “Mark has successfully led major international businesses and I am delighted that he is joining us as our new Chief Executive Officer.  Our UK operations remain central to the Essar Group’s strategic plans and we will continue to invest to further our growth ambitions here.  We enter a new decade determined to transform the business to ensure its long term sustainability and Mark’s vision and leadership will be critical in meeting that challenge.”

He added:  “I would also like to thank Thanga for everything that has been achieved during his time at Stanlow and wish him all the best for the future.”

Mark Wilson commented:  “I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the Essar Oil UK business in the next stage of its development.  The company has adapted extremely well to a fast changing market since taking over the Stanlow Refinery in 2011.  I am looking forward to leading the highly capable team in the next stage of the company’s development to ensure that we secure our future as a key supplier of the energy and petrochemicals products the UK needs.”

Thangapandian, Chief Executive Officer, Essar Oil UK, added:  “I have very much valued my time in the UK and have been fortunate to work with many talented and dedicated colleagues.  The company is at a key point in its development, with exciting plans over the next five years to build a robust and futuristic business.  Mark has the qualities necessary to do an outstanding job leading the team forward, and I wish him every success in his new role.”

 

Ends

About Essar Oil UK

Essar Oil (UK) Limited is a leading UK-focused downstream energy company that owns and operates the Stanlow Refinery located on the south side of the Mersey Estuary near Liverpool. Stanlow produces 16% of UK road transport fuels, including 3 billion litres of petrol, 4.4 billion litres of diesel and 2.1 billion litres of jet fuel per year.  The refinery processes 10 million tonnes of crude and feedstocks annually.

Since acquiring Stanlow in 2011, Essar has invested $1 billion in the Essar Oil UK business, including the $258 million spent in FY 2017-18 to deliver a major margin booster project, together with the site’s largest ever Turnaround.  The successful delivery of this project increased annual throughput capacity from 68 million to 75 million barrels, as well as improving yields and driving revenues.

Essar Oil UK is a major supplier in the North West and beyond with customers including most of the major retail brands operated by international oil companies and supermarkets, Manchester Airport, leading commercial airlines and the region’s trains and buses. It is the lowest cost supplier into the North West and is highly competitive in supplying adjacent markets. Last year, the company acquired BP assets in the Midlands to further strengthen its logistics infrastructure network.

Over the last three years, Essar Oil UK has broadened its downstream integration, with a highly successful and award winning entry into the UK fuel retail market.  With 73 sites already operational across England and Wales, the company has confirmed ambitious plans to grow its retail network within the UK market to 400 sites over the next five years.

The company is also a major player in the wholesale supply of Jet A-1 to a number of major UK airports. Essar has also successfully entered the market for the direct supply of aviation fuel, signing agreements with some of the leading international airlines. This section of the business continues to grow.

 

Media contacts:

Ian Cotton, Head of Communications, on 0151 350 4583 or 07805 854169