North-east businessman takes over at Sullom Voe

Appointment: Former Asco director to be general manager at oil terminal

A leading north-east businessman has taken up a new role managing the day-to-day operations of Sullom Voe oil terminal in Shetland.

Craig Lennox joined Sullom Voe operator EnQuest after four and a half years at Aberdeenbased oil and gas support services company Asco Group, where he was operations director.

He was previously chief executive at another Aberdeen firm, Richard Irvin Energy Solutions.

Asco has moved swiftly to appoint a successor, naming oil and gas veteran Steve Mitchell as operations director (Scotland).

Mr Lennox, who turns 50 tomorrow and boasts Aberdeen University degrees in psychology and applied artificial intelligence, said EnQuest approached him with the offer of becoming general manager at Sullom Voe, one of Europe’s largest oil terminals.

“I left Asco on August 31 and had two days off before starting at EnQuest,” he said.

Mr Lennox is also a former chief executive of Scottish information technology services business Capito, and is still on the board of the Livingston-based company.

He also spent nearly 13 years as a business transformation director in the oil and gas industry, working for businesses that are now part of Subsea 7.

EnQuest took over the operatorship of Sullom Voe, and a 25% stake in the Magnus oilfield, late last year in a deal worth nearly £70 million.

Announcing its new appointment, Asco said Mr Mitchell would play a “pivotal” role in the future growth and development of the business.

Mr Mitchell has worked in oil and gas for 34 years, and has experience both in the UK and internationally with several major international oil companies, including Chevron, Oryx Energy, Kerr-McGee and latterly Maersk Oil, where he was global head of logistics

His new role is focused on the operation of Asco’s supply bases in Aberdeen and Peterhead.

Mr Mitchell said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for me to apply my industry experience and contribute to Asco’s development and I very much look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Asco chief executive Alan Brown said: “Steve brings a wealth of oil and gas logistics experience to Asco and I am delighted to have him on board.

“His technical and commercial knowledge of the industry and his management skillset will prove to be valuable assets in his new role.

“I am sure he will help us drive the company strategy forward.”

“I very much look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead”

Craig Lennox