VARO Energy, a major midstream energy company serving clients across North West Europe, announced today that Roger Brown will become the firm’s CEO, effective first quarter of 2015.
Mr Brown will lead the establishment of VARO Energy as one of the leading integrated manufacturers and providers of oil products in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, comprising the three core business areas of refining, storage, and distribution and sales. Following the recent expansion of the firm’s refining capability, storage assets and distribution network, his priority will be to drive growth in the highly competitive North West European market. He has a proven track record of building an integrated refining business and is a respected industry leader.
Mr Brown, who will be based in Zug, Switzerland, said: “VARO Energy has great potential in a strategically important area, encompassing Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Its refineries in Cressier and Bavaria combined with an extensive distribution network throughout the region and particularly along the Rhine, put Varo Energy in an excellent position to become a primary supplier of gasoline, heating oil and diesel in North West Europe. I’m looking forward to taking on this challenge.”
He joins from Klesch Group, where he was Chief Executive of Klesch Petroleum, and brings 25 years of experience in senior roles at BP, where he held leading positions in trading, refining and downstream divisions in Europe, North America and Asia. While at BP, he notably built up and established the US West Coast fuel value chain. Previously, he was responsible for developing the company’s commercial fuel trading and refining division in the Rhine area, a region where he has extensive knowledge and which is of major importance for VARO Energy.
VARO Energy is a joint venture of Vitol, one of the leading energy and commodities companies, and global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group.
About VARO Energy
VARO Energy is a major midstream energy company serving clients across North West Europe. The company refines, stores, and distributes oil products in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. VARO Energy is a partnership between international energy and commodities company Vitol, and global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group.
Press contact
Fabian Gmuender, Vitol, +44 207 973 4478
Catherine Armstrong, The Carlyle Group, +44 207 894 1632