Savannah Energy names Joseph Pagop Noupoué as chairman designate

Noupoué will take over from Jenkins, who spent over eight years in the role, following the group's annual general meeting.

Prior to joining Savannah, Noupoué, currently a senior partner at EY, undertook advisory work in over 20 African countries, for a client list that includes the energy and mining majors, as well as leading FTSE 100, CAC40 and Fortune 500 energy and mining service companies and major private equity houses.

Noupoué has also agreed to subscribe for 6.09m new ordinary shares in the company.

Chief executive Andrew Knott said: "Joseph has considerable experience in Africa and his background in advisory services to the African energy sector places him in an excellent position to steward Savannah to further growth through strong leadership and the promotion of good governance.

"I look forward to working with Joseph and would also like to take this opportunity to thank Steve Jenkins for his strong leadership of the board from Savannah's initial listing to the current day and am grateful that his experience will be retained in his continuing role as a non-executive director."

As of 0940 BST, Savannah shares were untraded at 26.25p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com