Since the merger of VARO Energy and Argos in 2015 Theo Pannekeet has been Product Trading director and in 2018 switched over to lead the Renewables activities of the group. He started working in the oil business in 1998, initially at Petroplus Tankstorage and later on for physical oil broker company Starsupply. In the role of Product trader Theo joined Van der Sluijs, a precursor company of VARO, in 2008, which after several mergers (North Sea Group and Argos) became VARO Energy.

As from 2014 he changed his role as Product trader for a position in the Management Team to lead the Wholesale, Product Trading, Biofuels and Logistic activities/teams of Argos in the Benelux, Germany and France. His background of exposure management, (international) oil market expertise and renewables, linked to his extensive knowledge of several other key business areas/assets make him a major contributor to the success of VARO Energy.

Julian Stoll joined VARO in March 2020 as the company’s first Chief Operating Officer and is based in Zug, Switzerland. Before this appointment, Julian was acting as Vice President Refining Operations with Phillips 66 /ConocoPhillips, where he gathered nearly 30 years' experience in multiple senior management positions.

Through his career, he was based between the UK and North America. During the past 3 decades, Julian gained profound experience in operational excellence, refinery operations and business transformation, which is a valuable asset for VARO Energy in the ongoing energy transition.

Gilles Vollin has more than 30 years of extensive experience in the oil industry, having performed in several senior management roles and directorship positions. During his career in refining, Gilles has developed an extensive knowledge in refinery operations, safety and reliability management, economics optimization and asset strategy development.

After leading the Berre Refinery (France) he became Director of the Cressier refinery (Switzerland). In 2012, Gilles acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Petroplus Cressier Refinery and Pipeline companies in composition proceedings until the successful sale of the assets.

In 2015 he became VARO Energy Director HR & HSEQ and in 2022 he assumed the role of EVP Integration and Capability, with responsibilities for organization and people development, new capabilities, and the positioning of the company.

Bendik Dahle is a Director for Carlyle International Energy Partners (CIEP). CIEP focuses on investing in energy businesses outside of North America. He is based in London.

Bendik brings significant M&A experience in the energy industry, including CIEP’s investments in Assala Energy, Nouryon and CEPSA. He also holds expertise in commodity price risk management and financing, having successfully financed and refinanced a number of CIEP portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Carlyle in 2016, Bendik worked in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs in London where he worked on a range of M&A transactions and capital raisings in the energy sector.

Bendik received a BSc in Economics from the University of Warwick.

Jeremy Baines joined VARO in August 2022 in the position of Executive Vice President – Customers, Trading and Commercial Optimisation and is based in Zug.

In this role, he oversees trading, sales, marketing and commercial teams and is responsible for driving the customer value proposition which is at the heart of the ONE VARO Transformation strategy.

Prior to this, Jeremy served Neste for nearly two decades, in senior commercial and leadership positions in Geneva, London, Brussels and Houston. Most recently, he held the position of President of Neste, US, Inc.

His knowledge of the renewable fuels sector, experience in developing first-class customer solutions and exceptional track record in growing businesses will be invaluable as VARO accelerates its journey to be a European energy transition leader.

Jeremy began his career as an LPG trader in both London and Brussels and holds a BS in Economics from City University, London, UK.

Georges joined VARO in December 2023 in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is based in Zug.

Prior to this, Georges was CFO at ADNOC Refining, based in Abu Dhabi. Before joining ADNOC in 2018, he served in Shell for over 20 years in senior financial positions in the UK, The Netherlands, Sakhalin in Russia and Brunei. He was Vice President of Investor Relations, Financial Controller, and Finance Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum amongst other positions. Georges brings to VARO world class financial and capital markets expertise and experience in transforming and scaling multi-national finance functions. He plays an important role in ensuring that VARO has the financial capability as well as the necessary infrastructure and capacity in place for the next phase of growth.