Colville to succeed Hunt as IADC president

Stephen A Colville has been appointed president of IADC, effective 1 March, following the retirement at the end of this month of Dr Lee Hunt, who has held that office for the past 22 years.

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be afforded the opportunity to serve this great industry,” Dr Hunt remarked. “Many friendships, fond memories and shared experiences have made the last quarter-century the absolute best career anyone could imagine.”

Mr Colville brings to IADC more than 30 years of experience in corporate public affairs and government relations, with extensive on-the-ground experience in North and South America, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Eurasia and Asia Pacific.

“I am honored and delighted to be handed the baton of responsibility for driving the future development of the IADC towards enabling our members to meet the growing challenges facing the drilling industry,” Mr Colville said.

Mr Colville previously served as vice president-communications for Shell’s projects & technology business, a position he held since August 2009. He moved to that position after serving as vice president of communications for Shell’s global gas business and had joined the company in December 2006 in that position.

Prior to Shell, Mr Colville served in various management-level policy, government and public affairs positions for Chevron, which he joined in 1997.

His earlier background includes seven years as an industry advocate, working in London and Brussels since 1990 to implement public and government-affairs campaigns. Mr Colville began his career in the UK Department of Trade and Industry in 1979, working in key policy divisions on trade regulations, competition regulation and project management.

He is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and enjoys coaching rugby, sailing and skiing.

A full profile article of Mr Colville will be published in the March/April 2012 issue of Drilling Contractor.