Dolphin Drilling Appoints New CEO and CFO

Norway-headquartered offshore drilling contractor Dolphin Drilling has made significant changes in its leadership team, promoting its interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to a permanent role and appointing a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

New CEO Appointment

Jon Oliver Bryce, who previously served as the interim CEO since late January, has been named the permanent CEO of Dolphin Drilling, effective immediately. With over 30 years of experience in the drilling industry, Bryce brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Dolphin Drilling and held senior leadership roles at Awilco Drilling and Odfjell Drilling.

Bryce, who holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, is also actively involved in industry organizations, serving on the supervisory board of the UK Chamber of Shipping and chairing the British Rig Owners Association.

In a statement, Bryce expressed his optimism about the future of Dolphin Drilling, highlighting the increasing demand for drilling rigs in the market and the company’s strong operational track record.

New CFO Appointment

As part of the leadership changes, Dolphin Drilling announced that Stephen Cox, the current CFO, will be stepping down. Ingolf Gillesdal, who currently serves as VP Corporate Finance & Investor Relations, will take over as the new CFO effective April 15, 2025. Cox will remain with the company to support the transition process until the summer.

Chairman of Dolphin Drilling, Ronny Bjørnådal, expressed his satisfaction with Cox’s contributions to the company and welcomed Gillesdal as the new CFO, noting his strong focus on financial control and compliance.

Board Changes and Shareholder Updates

At an extraordinary general meeting held on March 27, 2025, Dolphin Drilling elected a new board with Ronny Bjørnådal as the Chairman and Bertel Steen as a new board member. The company also announced that Svelland Capital and B.O. Steen Shipping increased their shareholdings in Dolphin Drilling to 36% and 10%, respectively.

With these strategic leadership changes and shareholder updates, Dolphin Drilling is poised to capitalize on emerging market opportunities and further strengthen its position in the offshore drilling sector.