Ms McLeod has over 20 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry and joins the company from New Age (African Global Energy) Ltd where she held the role of financial controller.

She started her career with Deloitte, spending six years in its oil and gas team during which time she qualified as a chartered accountant. She subsequently spent two years at Maersk before joining ConocoPhillips where she spent ten years in a variety of senior financial and strategic roles.

Ms McLeod graduated from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen before qualifying as a chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Graham Swindells, chief executive officer of Cluff Natural Resources, said: “On behalf of the board I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah as CFO. Sarah brings a wealth of financial and commercial upstream oil and gas experience and knowledge to the role, particularly in relation to the North Sea, which will be invaluable to the company as we continue to develop.

“Sarah joins at an exciting time for the company following the completion of two farm-outs with Shell and will be a key part of the management team as we seek to build on recent achievements and continue to grow the company.”