Gilles Vollin has more than 30 years of extensive experience in the oil industry, having performed in several senior management roles and directorship positions. During his career in refining, Gilles has developed an extensive knowledge in refinery operations, safety and reliability management, economics optimization and asset strategy development.

After leading the Berre Refinery (France) he became Director of the Cressier refinery (Switzerland). In 2012, Gilles acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Petroplus Cressier Refinery and Pipeline companies in composition proceedings until the successful sale of the assets.

In 2015 he became VARO Energy Director HR & HSEQ and in 2022 he assumed the role of EVP Integration and Capability, with responsibilities for organization and people development, new capabilities, and the positioning of the company.

Bendik Dahle is a Director for Carlyle International Energy Partners (CIEP). CIEP focuses on investing in energy businesses outside of North America. He is based in London.

Bendik brings significant M&A experience in the energy industry, including CIEP’s investments in Assala Energy, Nouryon and CEPSA. He also holds expertise in commodity price risk management and financing, having successfully financed and refinanced a number of CIEP portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Carlyle in 2016, Bendik worked in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs in London where he worked on a range of M&A transactions and capital raisings in the energy sector.

Bendik received a BSc in Economics from the University of Warwick.

Georges joined VARO in December 2023 in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is based in Zug.

Prior to this, Georges was CFO at ADNOC Refining, based in Abu Dhabi. Before joining ADNOC in 2018, he served in Shell for over 20 years in senior financial positions in the UK, The Netherlands, Sakhalin in Russia and Brunei. He was Vice President of Investor Relations, Financial Controller, and Finance Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum amongst other positions. Georges brings to VARO world class financial and capital markets expertise and experience in transforming and scaling multi-national finance functions. He plays an important role in ensuring that VARO has the financial capability as well as the necessary infrastructure and capacity in place for the next phase of growth.

Keir Ashton joined VARO as General Counsel in September 2024. Keir is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, including compliance with legislation, and providing legal guidance on operations, new business opportunities, M&A, and financing transactions. His role is crucial in driving the legal support required for VARO’s ONE VARO Transformation strategy, with a particular focus on building strategic partnerships and joint ventures.

Keir has over 25 years of international legal experience across a variety of sectors, including commodities, media, and technology and deep expertise in M&A, international trade, and corporate finance.

Before joining VARO, Keir spent 15 years at Louis Dreyfus Company, a global leader in commodities trading, where he held the position of Group General Counsel and led high-value transactions and strategic litigation. Earlier in his career, he built a distinguished track record at Bloomberg L.P. in New York and The Wireless Group in London, where he played a key role in leading their IPO.

Keir is a graduate of the London School of Economics and is a qualified solicitor, having trained at Clifford Chance in London and Paris. He is also a trustee of the Scottish Association of Marine Science, furthering his commitment to environmental sustainability.

Under his leadership, VARO’s legal department is set to continue supporting the company’s ambitious goals.

Hugues joined VARO in March 2025 as Executive Vice President, Operations, Projects & Infrastructure, and is based in Zug. 

Before joining VARO, he spent over 30 years at Shell in senior leadership roles across operations, manufacturing, and asset management. Most recently, he was EVP, Safety, Environment & Asset Management, leading a global team focused on operational excellence, safety, and decarbonisation. Previous roles include Vice President Manufacturing, General Manager of the Bukom Refinery and Petrochemicals site in Singapore, General Manager of the Shell Convent Refinery in Louisiana, USA, and Senior Manager for Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments at Shell International, focusing on Downstream Europe. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from UTC in France and a Master in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. 

At VARO, he is responsible for the safe and reliable operations of the company’s manufacturing and infrastructure network, driving efficiency, optimising commercial performance, and supporting strategic growth through the projects organisation.