Chief Executive Officer

Dr Robert Trice

As Hurricane’s founder, Robert has over 25 years’ oil industry experience. He has combined specialist technical expertise in fractured reservoirs’ characterisation and evaluation. He has a PhD in Geology from Birkbeck College, University of London and gained the bulk of his geoscience experience with Enterprise Oil and Shell. He has worked in field development, exploration, well-site operations and geological consultancy. Robert has held the position of Visiting Professor at Trondheim University (Norway) and has published and presented on subjects related to fractured reservoirs and exploration for stratigraphic traps.

It is Robert’s vision that lies behind Hurricane, providing clear strategic direction as the company develops and he takes the lead in all aspects of the scientific and technical heart of the company.

Chief Communications Officer

Keith Kirby

Keith is an experienced business manager and worked in communications and branding for 20 years. From 1993 he was Client Director at Wolff Olins where he was part of the team that created the Orange brand, initially in the UK, then introducing the brand internationally. Keith has worked on major brand and corporate identity programmes for organisations including Kuwait Petroleum International in Europe and Thailand and the Emarat brand for the national oil company in Dubai. For more than ten years Keith was with the Hutchison Whampoa Group, and as CEO of a Group business unit, advised companies around the World on communications. Keith has an MBA with distinction from London Business School where he was winner of the Alumni prize for Academic Achievement.

As Hurricane’s Chief Administrative Officer, Keith is also responsible for a comprehensive Business Management System presently being created to support the submission of a Field Development Plan. Keith is also responsible for all internal and external communications, investor relations, company systems, facilities, HR, company culture and the other administrative aspects of running the business, working closely with Robert on strategy and business planning. 

Chief Financial Officer

Nicholas Mardon Taylor

Nicholas has worked in the oil industry for over 30 years, his first involvement in the North Sea being in the seventh round. Nicholas is a highly experienced company director having held Finance Director roles with a number of companies, including Total, Saxon Oil, and Carless & Alkane.

Nicholas ensures that we have robust accounting and finance policies and procedures and works closely with Robert and Keith on business direction and strategy.

Nicholas has been with Hurricane since its creation in 2005 when he was the company's first CFO. Since then he has had special responsibility for our thorough Environmental Management System, returning now to the finance role.