ESSAR Oil have appointed a new chief executive officer who will be based at the company's Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port.

Stein Ivar Bye brings with him over 28 years of experience in the oil and energy sector having worked internationally across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

He graduated from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has an MBA in Business Strategy and Management from BI Norwegian Business School.

Stein previously spent 25 years with ExxonMobil and was latterly chief operating officer at Sweden’s largest fuel company, Preem.

He is an experienced executive leader in multicultural and international environments and has an impressive track record in refinery operations, coupled with broad experience in supply and trading, strategy and planning and business development.

Prashant Ruia, non-executive chairman at Essar Oil UK, said: "As an organisation, our sights are firmly set on transforming our UK business, ensuring its growth and long term sustainability as we transition towards a low carbon energy economy and deliver the energy solutions of the future for Britain.

"Stein will be pivotal in meeting this challenge and fulfilling this ambition."

Stein added: "I am honoured to be selected as CEO for Essar Oil UK and excited to be part of Essar’s transformational journey.

"Society’s demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions is an inspiring challenge and will require creativity and perseverance.

"With the collective competency and commitment of the Essar organisation, and strong stakeholder engagement, I am confident Essar Oil UK will be a part of the solution for the future."