Dutch floater specialist SBM Offshore announced on Wednesday the departure of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair of the Management Board, Bruno Chabas, who has held the portfolio for 12 years. The company said Chabas decided not to seek a 4th mandate at the end of his current term on April 12, 2024.
The Supervisory Board has decided to appoint Øivind Tangen, currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) and member of the Management Board, as CEO and Chair of the Management Board as from the same date following the Company’s Annual General Meeting.
The Management Board will continue after April 12, 2024, as a two-person board consisting of the CEO, Øivind Tangen, and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Wood. Bruno Chabas will act as advisor to the Company to facilitate a smooth transition during the course of 2024.
Commenting on his departure, Chabas said, “It has been a huge privilege to serve the Company as CEO for the last 12 years, where I had the honor to lead a team of dedicated people who supported me in transforming and turning this organization around.”
He said at present, the Group has a well-established vision, purpose, and structure with a leading market position and strong growth prospects in the industry.
“I am especially proud that SBM Offshore has a leadership team which makes an internal succession possible; I am extremely pleased to hand over my responsibilities to Øivind, who, I am sure, will successfully guide the Company to achieve its ambitious energy transition targets,” Chabas said.
Øivind Tangen joined SBM Offshore 21 years ago. He has been COO and a member of the Management Board since 2022. Prior to that, as a member of the Executive Committee, he was responsible for SBM Offshore’s FPSO fleet.
Øivind Tangen said, “It is a great honor to have been selected as the successor to Bruno in the role of CEO and Chair of the Management Board of SBM Offshore. Bruno is handing over a company that is in a very strong position, and it is with great enthusiasm I commit to working with the whole SBM team to continue to successfully deliver the Company’s strategy for the years to come.”
The Supervisory Board sees Øivind Tangen as an excellent successor with the right capabilities and experience to ensure the successful continuation of SBM Offshore’s businesses.
Roeland Baan, Chair of the Supervisory Board said the contribution of Chabas to SBM Offshore has been outstanding. “He set out a transformational vision for the Company and then executed this. Under Bruno’s leadership, the Company navigated numerous challenges, and Bruno leaves the organization as a leader in the FPSO market and an established energy transition company with a clear strategy and strong financial position. We all wish Bruno the very best for his future.”
Baan said Øivind has shown strong leadership and people skills in his current and former roles. “His extensive experience in all the areas of our core businesses will enable him to be an effective CEO leading SBM Offshore going forward.”
