Tullow Oil names South African businessman Phuthuma Nhleko as chairman-designate

Tullow Oil Plc, an Africa-focused oil and gas multinational company, has named South Africa’s Phuthuma Nhleko as chairman-designate, Reuters reported.

Following the appointment, Nhleko succeeds British businesswoman Dorothy Thompson, who will retire by December 2021.

“Phuthuma will play an important part in supporting Tullow’s ambitions to be a partner of choice for governments and our industry peers, as the African oil and gas sector evolves over the coming decade,” Thompson said.

Tullow Oil is a London-based multinational oil and gas exploration company with several exploration projects in Africa, founded in 1985.

Nhleko will be joining the company with nearly two decades of experience serving as the CEO of MTN Nigeria, a leading Nigerian telecom company. He has vast experience in telecommunications, organizational strategy development, operations, M&A, corporate finance and executive leadership.

“I am very pleased to have been appointed as chairman-designate of Tullow,” Nhleko said in a statement. “I believe Tullow is uniquely placed to develop the oil and gas resources of its host countries efficiently and safely while minimising its environmental impact.”

In May, the C-Suite executive was appointed as chairman-designate of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He also chairs the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund, which he cofounded with billionaire Johan Rupert, which has interests in the petroleum, energy, cement and the resources industries.