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The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) appointed new Chief Executive

Jul 13, 2022

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has announced that Stuart Payne has been appointed the new Chief Executive.  
 An experienced business leader and current NSTA Supply Chain, Decommissioning and HR Director, Mr Payne will succeed outgoing Chief Executive Dr Andy Samuel, and assume responsibilities on 1 January 2023. 
Dr Samuel has been Chief Executive since the NSTA was created (as the Oil and Gas Authority) in 2015). He has successfully led the organisation since its’ inception following the 2013 Wood Review, which recommended the creation of an independent economic regulator.  
 Dr Samuel rapidly built a strong team and highly collaborative culture, supporting industry turnaround performance and create substantial value for the UK as a whole. He has personally led the Energy Transition, recognising the North Sea as vital for both Energy Security and crucially also carbon abatement. 
Mr Payne joined the NSTA in 2015 and is currently responsible for decommissioning, leading work with the supply chain and heading the HR function. He co-chairs the industry’s Supply Chain and Exports Task Force and is a member of the Scottish Government’s Energy Transition Leadership Group.  
Prior to joining the NSTA, Mr Payne held a variety of leadership positions in the oil and gas industry, and he was awarded a CBE for services to the sector in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2020. He was appointed by the NSTA board following a competitive internal and external recruitment process.  
Mr Payne’s work will include supporting the industry on vital projects involving electrification, carbon storage, energy hubs and exploration, liaising with other organisations with interests in the North Sea and working even more closely with government and industry in light of challenging global politics.  
 
Tim Eggar, NSTA Chairman, said:  
“Stuart is absolutely the right fit to carry on the excellent work that Andy has done for the past eight years.  
“The sector is going through a period of rapid change and Stuart has the right skills, experience and personality to guide the NSTA and the industry through this crucial time.”