Gulf Keystone Petroleum announced on Sunday it has appointed Nadhim Zahawi as its chief strategy officer.
Zahawi is joining Gulf Keystone’s management team and will be responsible for the evaluation of strategic options for the Company, reporting to CEO Jón Ferrier.
Zahawi, 48, is of Kurdish origin, and moved from Iraq to the UK in his childhood. He has maintained contact with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq throughout his extensive career.
He graduated from University College London with a BSc in Chemical Engineering before going on to have a successful career in business.
This included his early career as European Marketing Director for Smith & Brooks Ltd, and then as the co-founder and former CEO of YouGov, the international market research firm which listed on The London Stock Exchange’s AIM market in 2005.
Zahawi has held a number of advisory roles in the oil and gas sector. He has been a Conservative Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon since 2010.
Given his parliamentary commitments, he will work with Gulf Keystone on a part time basis, the company said.
Commenting on the appointment, Jón Ferrier, CEO, said: “I am delighted to have secured the services of Nadhim at this important time in Gulf Keystone’s development.
“He will be a key part of the management team, alongside Sami Zouari, Tony Peart and John Stafford.
“With his Kurdish heritage and as a successful businessman, Nadhim brings a range of additional and critical skills to the Company.
“I firmly believe that the breadth and depth of his regional knowledge will prove invaluable, and will help further strengthen our relationships within the Kurdistan Regional Government amongst other key stakeholders in the Kurdistan Region and internationally.”
