Irving Oil leadership shakeup as president Ian Whitcomb steps down
Irving Oil president Ian Whitcomb announced that he has made a personal decision to step down from his role at the company but will continue as president until June 9, 2024.
"I am grateful for Ian's leadership of Irving Oil over the past eight and a half years," says Arthur Irving, chairman emeritus in a statement released by the company upon Whitcomb’s announcement. “Building on the strong history of Irving Oil, Ian has helped lead the company through a significant period of growth, working alongside a strong leadership team, hard-working, dedicated employees and loyal customers. And for all of them, I am thankful too. We wish Ian all the very best in the future."
“I am very proud of our team and what we have accomplished together," says Whitcomb. "I am especially grateful to Mr. Irving for providing me with this opportunity, to have had the experience of working with Mr. Irving, Sandra Irving and Sarah Irving over these past eight years and for the mentorship to allow me, and all of us at Irving Oil, to be successful. Our whole Irving Oil team has worked to make the company stronger by focusing on safety, operational excellence and our customers, including adding significant growth in Ireland and New England and developing a strategy to guide Irving Oil through this time of energy transition. I have been very fortunate to work with an exceptionally talented senior leadership team and this team will continue in place."
"The strategic review of the company is ongoing and outcomes associated with it are not yet clear," adds Maureen Kempston-Darkes, lead director of Irving Oil’s Board of Directors. "Decisions related to Ian Whitcomb's replacement have not yet been made. Recognizing that the strategic review will be ongoing, Jeff Matthews, chief financial officer of Irving Oil, will take the leadership role in this process. Having joined Irving Oil more than 29 years ago, Jeff has a deep knowledge of our company and the evolving needs of our customers. The company remains focused on its people, sustainable, safe operations and serving its customers and communities.”
READ: Arthur Irving no longer chairman of Irving Oil
In June of last year, Irving Oil announced a strategic review of the company. In a statement signed by Arthur Irving, Ian Whitcomb and Sarah Irving, the company said it was looking at several options "A strategic review of the company is underway, and a series of options are being evaluated related to the company's future. No decisions have been made about where this strategic review may lead. Considerations will be given to a new ownership structure, a full or partial sale, or a change in the portfolio of our assets and how we operate them."
