Change of CEO for Wood Mackenzie

Edinburgh-based Wood Mackenzie, which provides data, analytics and insights for the energy, renewables and natural resources sectors, has appointed a new Chief Executive. Jason Liu replaces Mark Brinin, who leaves 'to pursue other opportunities'.

'WoodMac' was acquired in 2015 by energy sector data firm Verisk Analytics for £1.85 billion in cash (then around $2.8bn), then sold eighteen months ago to investor Veritas Capital for $3.1bn in cash. By this time the composition of WoodMac was somewhat changed: its Financial Services business had already been sold to information and insights company TransUnion, and its 3E environmental health and safety business to New Mountain Capital - although Verisk had earlier added a division covering chemicals, fibers, films and plastics when it acquired The PCI Group.

WoodMac now has around 2,300 employees worldwide. Its Lens platform offers clients in natural resources markets access to analysis and data modelling options for 'every major commodity', while Lens Upstream Optimisation allows clients to simulate the economic impact and tax implications of merger and acquisition activity on company portfolios.

Liu brings more than 25 years' experience leading growth-oriented, private equity-backed companies in the software and data industries. Most recently he was CEO of Zywave, which provides software, data, and analytics in the insurance technology space, helping to double its size and enhanced its market position.

Ramzi Musallam, CEO and Managing Partner of Veritas Capital, says Liu's prior experience and skillset 'make him the ideal leader for Wood Mackenzie through this next transformative period of growth'. He adds: 'We are completely aligned in our vision for Wood Mackenzie, and look forward to working with him as he builds upon the Company's position as the global market leader for data and analytics that enable the energy transition'.

Web site: www.woodmac.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.