Premier Oil has hired oil and gas industry veteran Roy Franklin as its chairman to succeed Mike Welton, who said in March that he would step down on appointment of a successor.

Franklin, who is currently the interim chairman of Norway’s Statoil, will assume the role of Premier Oil’s nonexecutive chairman from Sept. 1, the company said.

During his 40 years in the industry, Franklin has worked with many companies, including oil major BP where he stayed for 18 years. He is also lined up to become deputy chairman of the combined group when oilfield services Wood Group completes its acquisition of rival Amec Foster Wheeler .

Premier Oil, which had been struggling with high levels of debt before agreeing to a restructuring deal in February, made a loss before tax in 2016 but its share price rose 52% as the crude oil prices recovered.

The North-Sea focused oil producer also named Dave Blackwood and Mike Wheeler as nonexecutive directors with immediate effect.

Welton is leaving Premier Oil after eight years at the helm.