Brent Cheshire

Brent graduated from Durham University in 1976 with an Honours degree in Geology. From 1977-1991 he worked for Shell International Petroleum, much of it overseas. During this time, in addition to operational petroleum engineering roles, he spent three years in Shell’s training centre in The Hague. After 14 years with Shell, he joined Amerada Hess Corporation filling a number of senior positions, latterly as Senior Vice President for E&P Worldwide Technology. Brent was responsible for all Hess’ global technical activities and was a member of the E&P Leadership Team.

In 2004, he joined DONG Energy as Managing Director of the newly formed Exploration and Production Company in the UK and a member of DONG Energy’s E&P Executive Committee.

From being DONG’s first UK employee in 2004, he has developed the business from scratch to the point that it is now one of the largest acreage holders in the West of Shetlands and is a partner in the Laggan-Tormore development and 8 other discoveries. He has also helped spearhead the development of the UK offshore wind industry, through his additional role in DONG Energy as UK Country Chairman.

DONG Energy is one of the largest investors in the UK offshore wind industry and has invested over £4 billion to date in its developments and operations.

Brent has taken a leading role in the recent development of Durham University’s profile in Energy where he has supported the development of the Durham Energy Institute, for which he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2012.