External Advisory Panel
BNRI has established a highly experienced advisory panel of industry experts who help us with sourcing, evaluation and management referencing and may be involved in the ongoing management of portfolio businesses.
Francis Gugen
Former European CEO Amerada Hess Europe
Experienced, entrepreneurial oil & gas veteran who has successfully built up several businesses
- Promotes and invests in strategic opportunities, including Chrysaor, CEOC, Island Gas plc, Fraudscreen and Gugen Consulting, and until its recent exit, CH4 Energy
- Chairman Petroleum Geo Services (upstream seismic supplier)
- Also member of the CBI Economic Affairs committee and a Trustee and Chair of the management committee of RAFT (a medical research charity)
- 1982–2000 with Amerada Hess, where he became CEO of the UK in 1995 and of North West Europe in 1998
- Also a past president of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UK Oil & Gas), founder member of the UK Government’s Oil & Gas Task Force (Pilot) and past chair of Crine, set up to improve oil industry supply chain and exports
- Chartered accountant, qualifying with Arthur Andersen in the 1970s, was educated initially in the French system and is married with one daughter
Mike Reynolds
Former MD National Power Europe
European power veteran with outstanding track record in delivering value for equity investors
- Current Chair AIM listed Renewable Power & Light (US power business); Deputy Chairman Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Chemical engineer, started in the steel industry, before moving to power in 1984 as the Contracts Director for the Central Electricity Generating Board; appointed as MD of Tego Energia in Portugal in 1987 (JV between National Power, Endesa, EDF and EDP)
- Subsequently became National Power’s Director for Europe in 1995 responsible for all its business development and asset management activities
- 1997–2003 served as CEO, responsible for the European operations firstly for Sithe Energy Power (subsidiary of Vivendi) and later for Endesa Europa
- Formed Carron Energy (as Chairman) in 2003 which acquired and turned around Uskmouth Power (4.5x return)
- Prior to his current position he served as the Chairman of Irish based renewables company Finavera Renewables
Tony Trahar, B.Comm C.A. (SA)
Former CEO Anglo American
Mining veteran with particular expertise in Africa, South America and Australia
- Spent majority of his career with Anglo American, one of the world’s largest diversified mining groups, culminating in being Group CEO
- Joined Anglo American as a management trainee in 1974; his first major role was in the group’s industrial division where he was appointed FD of Anglo American Industrial Corp in 1982
- Played a major role in transforming the group into a major force in the paper and packaging business as Mondi’s CEO (1986–9) and Chairman & CEO (1989–1991)
- Appointed to the main board of Anglo American in 1991 and played a vital role in the acquisition of Tarmac in 1999
- Promoted to CEO in 2000 and served in this capacity for seven years, during which he also served on the board of De Beers, Anglogold, Anglo Platinum and Mondi
- Retired as CEO in March 2007
Robert Champion de Crespigny AC
Founder and former Chairman and CEO Normandy Mining
Experienced mining veteran with an excellent track record in delivering value for shareholders
- Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of Normandy Mining Limited until its merger in 2002 with Newmont Mining Corporation. At the time of the merger it was Australia's largest gold company and in the top five gold companies in the world. It was also a substantial producer of base metals and industrial minerals.
- Has served as Chairman of the Economic Development Board of South Australia, Chancellor of The University of Adelaide, Chairman of the South Australian Museum, Non-Executive Chairman of a number of publicly listed Australian companies, and Advisor to the Executive Committee of the South Australian Cabinet.
- Has been Australia's representative on the Commonwealth's Expert Group on Democracy and Development, Chairman of the Australian Gold Council, and also a Member of the Business Council of Australia, the Minerals Council of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.
- Received several awards recognising his contribution to Australian business and the community, in particular the Companion of the Order of Australia, Australia's highest honour. The University of Adelaide has also awarded him a Doctorate for his services to the University.
- Currently Chairman of Crosby-Textor Research Strategies Results, Non-Executive Director of S&B Industrial Minerals (Athens-based) and a Board Member of Oxford University's Said Business School.
