Board of Directors

Mike Mannering

Chairman (b.1952)
Mike Mannering is an experienced Chairman and Non-Executive Director with a long career in oilfield services including many senior corporate positions in Schlumberger as well as Chairman and, subsequently, Non-Executive Director of Songa Offshore until its acquisition by Transocean. He has a BSc (First Class) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton.

Mr. Mannering was appointed as a director and Chairman of the Board of Polarcus Limited on 10 May 2018.

Karen El-Tawil

Board Member (b.1961)
Karen El-Tawil has spent over 30 years in the seismic industry. She was most recently VP Business Development for TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA, responsible for investor relations, M&A and corporate marketing. Previously she has managed multi-client sales for TGS, and exploration services and multi-client sales for Schlumberger Geco-Prakla. She has extensive experience of the international geophysical sector. She has a degree in earth science and mathematics from Adrian College, Michigan. Mrs El-Tawil is a Board member of Pulse Seismic Inc, an onshore multi-client company traded on the Toronto exchange.

Mrs. El-Tawil was appointed to the Board on 13 February 2014.

Tom Henning Slethei

Board Member (b.1974)
Tom Henning Slethei has been an investor in the stock and bond market for more than two decades. He is Chairman and owner of various companies within real estate and finance. He has extensive Board experience including as Chair of the nomination and compensation committees, Noreco ASA, as Chairman of the Board, Jåsund Utviklingsselskap AS and Sola Bredband AS, and as a Director at Forus Naeringspark.

Mr. Slethei was appointed to the Board on 12 May 2016.

Erik Mathiesen

Board Member (b.1970)
Erik Mathiesen is an independent advisor. He was until January 2017 a Founding partner of Storm Capital Management, London, an asset management company focusing on energy, transportation and real estate in the Nordics. He was also CEO of Storm Real Estate ASA until August 2016. He has worked in corporate finance advisory in shipping and oil services as a partner for EC Hambro Rabben, London and in corporate banking at Hambros Bank, London.

Mr. Mathiesen was appointed to the Board on 12 May 2016.

Monish Sahni

Board Member (b.1963)
Monish Sahni is a senior finance professional with 30 years’ experience in banking and hedge funds across Europe, Asia and the US. He is a highly experienced transactor, analyst and risk manager with extensive credit and deal skills. He has diverse sector experience including the shipping and logistics industries, offshore drilling, oil services and industrials. He was a senior banker with Citigroup in New York, Hong Kong and London, a senior credit analyst at CQS LLP in London and currently is an Advisor at Auld Partners in London. He is a British national and is resident in the UK. Monish has an MBA and a BA from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Sahni was appointed as a director of the Board on 29 April 2019.

Nicholas Smith

Board Member (b.1951)
Nicholas Smith is a Chartered Accountant with a long-term career in investment banking and as CFO of Asian investment bank, Jardine Fleming Group. He has had a successful non-executive track record in the public E&P sector and investment trusts, including seven years as Chairman of Ophir Energy plc, and as Board member for several other London listed companies. He is currently Chairman of Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust plc; Chairman of Schroder Asia Pacific Investment Fund plc, where he was previously Chair of Audit and Senior Independent Director; and a Board member for JP Morgan European Small Companies Investment Trust plc where he is also Chair of Audit.

Mr. Smith was appointed as a director of the Board on 6 March 2017.

Peter Zickerman

Board Member (b.1970)
Peter Zickerman has over two decades of experience in the seismic industry. He was the Founder of Eastern Echo Ltd where he held the position of Executive Vice President & Business Development and was also a Board member. In 2008, he founded Polarcus Limited where he held the position of Executive Vice President & Head of Strategic Investments until 2016. His experience covers both maritime and seismic operations, strategy and commerce. He holds a B.Sc. in Marine Engineering from Kalmar Maritime Academy, Linnaeus University.

Mr. Zickerman was appointed to the Board for the first time on 9 February 2008 for a period expiring on 2 July 2012 and was again appointed to the Board on 12 May 2016.