Oil and gas exploration firm Providence Resources has appointed Simon Brett as its chief financial officer.

The appointment takes effect immediately.

Mr Brett has been working with Providence since 2008, and was previously group financial controller. Before joining the firm, he held senior finance positions with Damovo Ireland and Coca Cola Bottlers Ireland.

He also worked for a number of multinational companies in the UK, including Johnson Wax, Sega Europe Limited and US Can Corporation.

Chief executive Tony O’Reilly welcomed his appointment.

“Since joining us in 2008, Simon has proven to be a very effective manager of the Providence finance function and I am very pleased that he has taken up this new opportunity at what is a very exciting time of Providence’s corporate development,” he said.