KPMG makes three industry expert appointments as oil and gas rebounds

Deborah May, David Mubarak and Chris Harvey bring a combined 21 years’ of direct oil and gas industry experience and knowledge to KPMG’s Aberdeen office, the firm said.

Martin Findlay, senior partner at KPMG in Aberdeen, said: “As the oil and gas sector starts to respond to the end of the recent downturn and reports a steady economic adjustment, we are bolstering our teams with direct, relevant industry knowledge.

“These appointments underpin our vision of being the best-placed, most experienced professional services firm, providing advisory services which are based on first-hand experience of the challenges facing the oil and gas sector, across the supply chain.”

Ms May joins KPMG as senior tax manager following a six year period at Proserv as global tax manager. With a wealth of tax experience across more than 20 jurisdictions, she has been involved in group financing transactions, M&A and managing cross border trading transactions as well as providing training to non-finance professionals on commercial tax matters and supporting internationally mobile employees.

After working as a petrophysicist with Schlumberger and gaining an unrivalled insight into the value of technology, Mr Mubarak studied for an MBA with Robert Gordon University and undertook a placement with Energy Ventures, an Aberdeen-based private equity firm.

He is joining KPMG’s corporate finance team as an associate, specialising in mergers and acquisitions.

Mr Mubarak believes that M&A activity will continue to play a vital role in how the industry adapts and transforms itself in the current oil price era. The need for change, he says, also provides a platform for new and emerging companies and he is looking forward to supporting oilfield service companies with their M&A requirements.

Mr Harvey, who joins KPMG as a manager in Supply Chain Operations, has worked within oilfield procurement and supply chain management for more than a decade for a major operator. His experience of category, materials and operations management will be invaluable to clients looking at shifting their focus from short-term cost cutting to longer-term value creation.

During his time in materials management, Mr Harvey was involved in preparing for the implementation of the new Union Customs Code regulations, which is having an impact on the North Sea.

Mr Findlay added: “By applying these insights on relevant issues and real pressures faced by oil and gas companies, our teams will be even better-equipped to predict and provide more meaningful advice as our clients react to current commercial opportunities.”