Last checked at 
LONDON (Alliance News) - Oil & gas company Rockhopper Exploration PLC said on Friday it will promote Non-Executive Director Keith Lough as chair, with effect from 2019 general meeting.
Lough will be replacing David McManus, who will step down from the role after three years since 2016.
Lough has been a non-executive director at Rockhopper Exploration for five years since 2014, and holds the same role in Cairn Energy PLC and Hunting PLC. His most recent executive role was as chief executive officer at oil and gas company Hutton Energy PLC for a year from 2011 to 2012.
Looking ahead, Rockhopper will have six directors on its board, and it plans to reduce the board's size further over time.
As a result, Non-Executive Tim Bushell is expected to step down from the board with effect at Rockhopper's 2020 annual general meeting at the latest.
"I would like to thank David for his unstinting efforts as both a director and latterly as chairman, as the company broadened its horizons with transactions in both the Falklands and the Mediterranean and continued to progress its Sea Lion development. His wise counsel and support throughout that period has been greatly appreciated by the whole board. I wish him the best in his other endeavours and look forward to continuing to work with Keith in his new role," said Chief Executive Officer Sam Moody.
Shares in Rockhopper Exploration were up 1.3% at 22.80 pence on Friday.
