Chief Commercial Officer, General Management, Capital Projects Specialist
+61 407 938 531
Peter.Ashford@LeadersOnDemand.com
Peter is a broadly-based senior executive with nearly 40 years of experience in upstream oil, gas & LNG, mining, renewable energy, software development and management consulting.
He has held executive positions in general, commercial, technical and project management. His strengths include his breadth of experience, practical insights and advice, and his enquiring mind which is always looking for a win-win solution or a new angle to solve a particular challenge.
He has demonstrated his leadership capabilities at C-suite level but had also retained a broad toolkit of hands-on skills be it financial / economic analysis, legal drafting or technical work so can jump into execution depending on the need.
Career History
Peter is a Chemical Engineer by training with extensive experience of working overseas and in roles ranging from the largest corporations in the world to small start-ups to advisory to politicians and government departments. Peter's career has evolved from a technical focus to general management with commercial and business focus making him a broad all-around performer who knows how to adapt to fit into the local culture.
His career started with Shell International (16 years - mostly overseas), through a range of roles in small ASX oil and gas, renewable energy (commercialisation) and management consulting. In 2005, he joined Origin Energy where he became Project Director of a major offshore oil and gas project in New Zealand which was followed by 5 years as General Manager leading the Origin Shareholder team setting up / monitoring the execution of the Australia Pacific LNG project.
In the last 4 years, he has been running his own Business Advisory providing business, commercial and technical advice in a range of roles and sectors.
Leadership Highlights
Advisor to (overseas) senior politician on LNG and general energy matters
Company Secretary of software company (18 months), Director of ASX oil and gas company (2 years)
General Manager APLNG project managing Origin Energy's shareholder interest and the commercial gas portfolio in the $25 billion project. Secured Origin Board approval; negotiated LNG contract and Shareholder Agreements (2011 to 2016)
Project Director Kupe Gas Project (offshore & onshore NZ) from concept to first gas. Outstanding success (2005 to 2010)
Co-lead of 40% cost reduction initiative of a mineral sands and titanium refinery in South Africa for one year (2004). Achieved objective.
Shell International working in various countries around the world including Oman, Gabon, Brunei, France, UK and The Netherlands (1983 to 1998)
Transformed Shell International's approach to worldwide graduate and mature candidate recruitment and led the team to outstanding success
Qualifications
MA Chemical Engineering (Cambridge University), Fellow Institute of Chemical Engineers, Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors
Sectors
Oil and gas, LNG, renewable energy, mining, management consultancy, software development, business advisory
Functions
Commercial management (contracts, negotiation, joint ventures etc), business economics, financials & analysis, legal, project management, general engineering and technology, concept development
Situations
General management, Business advisory & improvement, special assignments
Favourite quotes
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen” Winston Churchill
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life” Muhammed Ali
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... because the LOD offering is an excellent way to work with like minded people and to help find the right opportunities for my skill set which probably does not fit the 'classic mould' of a C-suite executive”
“When I'm not at work...
... I enjoy family and friends; health, outdoors and fitness (walking, cycling, mountains); DIY, woodwork, home-brew & gin-making, photography, music; personal finance, skill development, tutoring”