Transocean CEO steps down

Transocean, one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors, has said that its President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Newman will step down, effective February 16, 2015.

Additionally, Newman has elected to resign as a Director of Transocean Ltd. Until a permanent replacement is named, Ian Strachan, Chairman of the Board of Transocean Ltd., will also serve the company in the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer.

“As Chief Executive, Steven has capably guided Transocean over the last five years, demonstrating outstanding leadership through what was unquestionably the most challenging period in its history,” remarked Strachan. “In addition to leading Transocean through company- and industry-changing events following the Macondo well incident, Steven initiated essential changes that have and will continue to improve the company’s fleet, operations, cost structure and long-term competitiveness,” Strachan said.

“As a result, Transocean is well positioned to weather the current industry downturn and emerge even stronger. On behalf of the Board of Directors, and all Transocean employees, I would like to thank Steven for his dedicated service to the company and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Strachan has served as a Director of the company since 1999 and as Chairman of the Board since May 2013. His extensive experience includes serving as Chairman of the Board of Instinet Group Incorporated and as a director of several companies, including Xstrata plc; Rolls Royce Group plc; Reuters plc; and Johnson Matthey plc.

Strachan began his career with Exxon Corporation, where he spent 16 years. He went on to serve as Rio Tinto plc’s Chief Financial Officer for four years and ultimately the company’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer from 1991 to 1995. He then served as Chief Executive Officer of BTR plc for three years beginning in 1996. He received his BA in 1965 from Cambridge University, and his Master of Public Affairs in 1967 from the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, and was a teaching fellow at Harvard University from 1969 to 1970.

Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in, and operates a fleet of 71 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 44 high-specification floaters (ultra-deepwater, deepwater and harsh environment drilling rigs), 17 midwater floaters and 10 high-specification jackups. In addition, the company has seven ultra-deepwater drillships and five high-specification jackups under construction.