Biography

Mr. Franklin currently serves as Chairman of the international energy services group, Wood plc (“Wood”). In Mr. Franklin’s current role at Wood, he has overseen the company’s strategic positioning for the energy transition, broadening the company’s core activities from oilfield services to sustainable energy infrastructure, delivering solutions for a net-zero future. Wood is recognized as a sector leader in ESG matters and Mr. Franklin’s experience in this area is invaluable to Kosmos as it continues to navigate the energy transition. Mr. Franklin was also on the Board of Directors of Energean plc from October 2021 to November 2023. He was previously the Chairman of Premier Oil plc, a UK-based independent oil and gas exploration company, from 2017 until its acquisition in 2021, the Chairman of privately-held Energean Israel Ltd from 2017 to 2021, and the Deputy Chairman of Equinor A/S from 2015 until 2019.  In addition to those listed above, he has served on the boards of a number of other international companies in non-executive roles, including Kerogen Capital LLC from 2011 to 2021, Statoil A/S from 2007 until 2013, Santos Ltd from 2006 until 2017, Keller Group plc from 2007 until 2016, and Amec Foster Wheeler Plc from 2016 until 2017 when it was acquired by Wood.  Mr. Franklin began his career at BP where he spent 18 years in roles of increasing responsibility. He then joined Clyde Petroleum plc as Group Managing Director and served as CEO of Paladin Resources plc from 1997 until its acquisition by Talisman Energy in 2005.  

In 2004 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, and in 2006 the Petroleum Group Medal of the Geological Society of London, both in recognition of his services to the UK oil and gas industry.  Mr. Franklin earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1973 from the University of Southampton, UK.