A major appointment for the next phase of Islay's growth

Over the past four years, Islay Subsurface & Engineering Ltd has doubled both its activity levels and client base year on year. Behind that growth, we’ve been quietly assembling an exceptional Exploration & Development team, bringing together the technical depth, experience and commercial understanding our clients need to make confident decisions in an increasingly complex energy landscape.

Today, we’re extremely excited to announce the appointment of Dr Jonathan Leather as Head of Exploration & Development.

Jon brings more than 25 years of international exploration and subsurface experience, spanning Shell, Tullow Oil and United Oil & Gas, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Board Director.

His career has taken him across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East, leading exploration strategy, basin and opportunity evaluation, portfolio management, well planning, appraisal and development activities, as well as acquisitions, farm-ins and divestments.

Jon’s combination of deep subsurface expertise, commercial judgement and hands-on leadership brings invaluable experience to navigating complex exploration and development decisions.

Jon and Islay's founder, Iain Whyte, have worked together at different stages over the past 16 years, so Jon’s addition to the team builds on a long-standing professional relationship, shared technical standards and mutual trust.

As Islay enters its next phase of growth, Jon will lead our expanding Exploration & Development capability, ensuring our clients have access not simply to outstanding technical expertise, but to experienced leadership that understands how to turn subsurface insight into better decisions and commercial outcomes.

We’ve built something special at Islay. Jon’s appointment takes it to another level.