TEAM
Jostein Ueland (40), co-founder and member of the board
Mr. Ueland was the CFO and co-founder of FLEX LNG (listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker FLNG). The company was established in August 2006, raised USD 600mm in equity from institutional investors to fund floating LNG production orders with SHI. After a contractual and corporate restructuring in 2013 the company has two large and fuel efficient MEGI LNG Carriers under construction for delivery in 2018. FLEX LNG is today controlled by the Seatankers Group. Mr. Ueland has worked within the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs International in London and as an Equity Research Analyst in Enskilda Securities ASA in Oslo. Mr. Ueland earned his Master’s Degree in Finance from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.
Trym Tveitnes (46), co-founder and member of the board
Mr. Tveitnes was the CTO and co-founder of FLEX LNG (listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker FLNG). The company was established in August 2006, raised USD 600mm in equity from institutional investors to fund floating LNG production orders with SHI. After a contractual and corporate restructuring in 2013 the company has two large and fuel efficient MEGI LNG Carriers under construction for delivery in 2018. FLEX LNG is today controlled by the Seatankers Group. Mr. Tveitnes holds MSc. in Naval Architecture and a PhD in Hydrodynamics from University of Glasgow and has 15 years experience from the maritime and LNG industries, including positions in FLEX LNG, Det Norske Veritas, Hoegh LNG and Liquiline.
David Thomas (58), member of the board and strategic advisor
Mr. Thomas is an independent LNG advisor with over 20 years’ experience of LNG trading, shipping, origination and projects. Until 2017 David ran Vitol’s global LNG business, having joined in 2006 to set up the team. As well as trading teams in Geneva and Singapore, he was responsible for all aspects of the LNG business, including origination and investments. Through his extensive networks across the industry he grew the business to become the largest independent trader of LNG.
Prior to Vitol, David spent 20 years at BP primarily engaged in natural gas and LNG marketing and trading activities; he jointly established BP’s LNG trading business in 1999. Previous assignments in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America included broader commercial, exploration and production roles. David began his career in Operations with Schlumberger in West Africa. He is a member of several professional organisations and holds a BSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Kent.
Henrik Austgulen (39), co-founder
Mr. Austgulen was the managing director and board member of Auris Holding AS (family office). Auris has since its incorporation in 2005 built up a net asset value of USD 60mm, mainly by investing in commercial real estate in Norway. Mr. Austgulen has overseen over USD 100 mm in commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Austgulen has previously worked within the direct investments team of Industrifinans in Oslo, contributing to raising equity to fund USD 400mm in various commercial real estate investments. Mr. Austgulen earned his Master of Science Degree in Financial Economics from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.
John Riis (47), co-founder
Mr. Riis started his career in 1997 as a structural engineer on the FPSO Aasgard A project. Since then he has participated in a number of ship, FPSO and FLNG projects as a naval architect, both from the engineering side and from field operator side. The last years he has been engaged as Naval Architect for Noble Energy on the Leviathan gas field development, his current position is CEO of a Norwegian engineering company called 7Waves. Mr. Riis holds a MSc. in Naval Architecture from Strathclyde University.
James Clarke (51)
Mr. Clarke was previously the SVP Finance for FLEX LNG (listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker FLNG) responsible for the finance function. Work included: the IPO for the Company, two private placements for $100m and $125m, reporting and management of the four chartered in LNGC vessels, and general corporate and company secretarial matters. Before joining FLEX LNG, Mr. Clarke worked at GE Oil & Gas with roles covering corporate and personal tax reporting and contract evaluation. Previously he has held a number of other senior positions, covering corporate reporting (Lloyds Bank, Morgan Stanley); corporate asset sale (private company); controllership and Sarbanes - Oxley (Cardinal Health). He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and a Chartered Accountant.