7 October 2015

Bowleven plc ("Bowleven" or the "Company")

Board Changes

Bowleven, the Africa focused oil and gas exploration group traded on AIM, is pleased to announce the appointment of William ("Billy") MacDonald Allan as Non-Executive Director and Chairman Designate with effect from today. Billy will also join the Company's audit, nomination and remuneration committees. 

Billy has over 20 years' experience in senior positions within both the industrial and oil services sectors.  Until recently Billy was Chairman of ASCO Ltd, an international oil support services Group, having previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for 8 years. Prior to joining ASCO he was Divisional Managing Director at Alfred McAlpine PLC.

It is intended that Billy be appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Bowleven plc Board with effect from the conclusion of the 2015 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on 16 December 2015. He is expected to succeed Ronnie Hanna, who will retire from the Bowleven plc Board on conclusion of the AGM, having served as Non-Executive Chairman since 2006. 

At the same time, Caroline Cook will also step down from the Board having served as  Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2006. It is intended that John Martin, who was appointed Non-Executive Director with effect from 5 May 2015, will take over from Caroline as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Ronnie Hanna, Chairman of Bowleven plc, said:

 " I am delighted that Billy Allan should succeed me as Chairman. His experience in leading international businesses will be invaluable as Bowleven progresses into the next stage of its development."

Billy Allan, Non-Executive Director/Chairman Designate of Bowleven plc, said: 

" I am excited by the growth opportunities available to Bowleven and I look forward to working with Kevin Hart and the entire board on the next stage of the Group's development."

ENQUIRIES

For further information please contact:

Bowleven plc

Kevin Hart, Chief Executive Officer                                 00 44 131 524 5678

Kerry Crawford, Head of Investor Relations                    00 44 131 524 5678

Brunswick Group LLP

Patrick Handley                                                                00 44 207 404 5959

Simon Maine

Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited (Nomad)                         

Jon Fitzpatrick                                                                  00 44 203 037 2000

Ken Fleming

Nick Stamp

Additional information:

Pursuant to the AIM Rules, the following information in respect of William MacDonald Allan required to be disclosed is set out below.  Other than this information, there is no further information required to be disclosed under paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies with respect to the appointment.

William MacDonald Allan (aged 55)

Current Shareholding in Bowleven:               nil

Current Directorships/Partnerships:             

Beatson Cancer Charity, Brolan LLP (partner), Callander Estates Ltd, Callander Estates (CB) Ltd, Callander Investments Ltd, Callander Securities Ltd, Edwin James Holdings Ltd, Firhill Developments Ltd, Ingen Technical Services Ltd, Korrie Mechanical & Plumbing Ltd, Life Safety Services Ltd, Partick Thistle Football Club Ltd.

Former Directorships/Partnerships in the past five years:

Various ASCO UK group companies: ASCO UK Ltd, ASCO Group Ltd, ASCO Acquisitions Ltd, ASCO Aviation Ltd, ASCO JV Holdings Ltd, ASCO Holdings Ltd, ASCO Developments Ltd, ASCO Marine Ltd, ASCO Norway Ltd, ASCO Properties Ltd, ASCO (DC1) Ltd, ASCO (DC2) Ltd, ASCO (DC3) Ltd, ASCO (DC4) Ltd, ASCO Freight Management Ltd, CSM Holdings UK Ltd, CSM Enterprises Ltd, Enviroco Ltd, North Sea Lifting Ltd, OBM Ltd, Oilbase Management Ltd, Seletar Shipping Ltd, Venture Freight Management Ltd, Woodacon Oils Ltd.

Various ASCO Overseas businesses: ASCO Australia Pty, Oniqua Holdings Pty Limited, Oniqua Pty Limited, Mantech Software Pty Limited, ASCO Caspian Holdings SA, ASCO Canada INC (MOKO), Moko Oilfield Support Services LP, Manatokan Oilfield Services Inc (Alberta, Canada), ASCO Group Holdings Ltd, ASCO Norge AS, Kristiansund Base AS, ASCO St Lucia Ltd, ASCO Freight Management Pte Ltd, ASCO Trinidad Ltd, Enviroco Trinidad Ltd, ASCO Freight Management LLC.

Others: Callander Residential Ltd (placed into administration in March 2015; administrator appointed), Dalziel Mechanical Services Ltd, Europa Ltd, Korrie Energy Ltd, Korrie Renewable Energy Ltd, Ronin One LLP

Other notes:

Bowleven was advised on the appointment by Ridgeway Partners.