KEY EXECUTIVES
RAZAN EL BADAOUI
HEAD OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Razan El Badaoui is responsible for creating and maintaining an empowering and rewarding corporate culture at Crescent Petroleum. In addition to organising internal events and contributing to the development of employee policies, she oversees numerous human resources activities for the company such as onboarding and employee engagement.
She was instrumental in launching Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas’ human resource initiatives in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Razan has over 34 years of global expertise that span the fields of oil and gas, banking and investment, real estate, media, and education.
Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2001, Razan worked in the administrative division of Barakat Real Estate Co in the United States and at the Human Resources Department of Kuwait International Bank in Kuwait. Razan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Kuwait University.
For three years, Razan has provided her expert mentorship and support to aspiring women entrepreneurs throughout the Middle East through the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.
Bjorn Baekkegaard
Director, Digital Transformation
Bjorn Baekkegaard is Director of Digital Transformation within the Information Technology (IT) department. He has more than 20 years of experience in IT and digital transformations, including 10 years within the upstream oil and gas function.
Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum, he was IT Digital Lead-Information Systems at TotalEnergies, and previously leading IT operations in Qatar and Denmark and responsible for SAP, Information Security, Data Information Management, Industrial IT Operational Technologies, Projects and Infrastructure.
Bjorn has been an advisory board member for innovative and digital-scale and startup companies within offshore safety, security, planning, and integrity. Utilising strong encryption, advanced algorithms and Blockchain to create business value by solving advanced offshore industrial business problems.
Bjorn Baekkegaard is Director of Digital Transformation within the Information Technology (IT) department. He has more than 20 years of experience in IT and digital transformations, including 10 years within the upstream oil and gas function.
Sohale Bhatti
Director, Projects
Sohale Bhatti is responsible for Projects at Crescent Petroleum. Sohale has 25 years of international experience in process engineering and project management across multiple industries. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum, he served as a Project Manager at Borouge, a petrochemical company based in Abu Dhabi.
Sohale holds a Master of Business Administration from the Henley Business School, United Kingdom (UK).
He also has a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leeds, UK.
Sohale Bhatti is responsible for Projects at Crescent Petroleum. Sohale has 25 years of international experience in process engineering and project management across multiple industries. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum, he served as a Project Manager at Borouge, a petrochemical company based in Abu Dhabi.
SAJI CHACKO
DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTING & REPORTING
Saji is responsible for all accounting and financial reporting functions at Crescent Petroleum. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2001, Saji worked for 10 years with PwC across India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Saji holds a XX from the University of Mumbai, India.
He is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
of India and a graduate member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India
Saji is responsible for all accounting and financial reporting functions at Crescent Petroleum. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2001, Saji worked for 10 years with PwC across India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Saji holds a XX from the University of Mumbai, India.
RAKESH EDAVALATH
DIRECTOR, SUPPLY CHAIN & CONTRACTS
Rakesh oversees the procurement, contracting, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics functions at Crescent Petroleum. He works to ensure the optimal productivity, quality, and efficiency of projects and operations. In addition, he consults on all key matters related to corporate affairs and business services.
Rakesh has over 29 years of experience in supply chain management in the oil and gas sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India.
Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2007, he served as the Acting Commercial Services Team Leader of Zakum Development Company in the UAE.
Rakesh holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Kerala, India, in addition to a Postgraduate Diploma in Materials Management from the Indian Institute of Materials Management. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), UK.
Through his philanthropic endeavours in his home state of Kerala, India, Rakesh aims to provide a fairer access to school education among villages of the state.
Rakesh oversees the procurement, contracting, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics functions at Crescent Petroleum. He works to ensure the optimal productivity, quality, and efficiency of projects and operations. In addition, he consults on all key matters related to corporate affairs and business services.
Hassan Fattah
Director, Communications
Hassan Fattah oversees Crescent Petroleum’s reputation-building and community outreach programmes, including sustainability. Hassan has been at the centre of key public affairs, corporate communications, journalism, marketing communications and senior advisory efforts across the United Arab Emirates and the wider region for over 25 years.
Hassan holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, United States, and a Master in Journalism from Columbia University, United States.
Hassan Fattah oversees Crescent Petroleum’s reputation-building and community outreach programmes, including sustainability. Hassan has been at the centre of key public affairs, corporate communications, journalism, marketing communications and senior advisory efforts across the United Arab Emirates and the wider region for over 25 years.
STEPHEN MENEZES
DIRECTOR, INSURANCE
Stephen Menezes is responsible for insurance and risk management functions at Crescent Petroleum. Stephen has over 20 years of experience in insurance and risk management. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2008, he served as the Head of Insurance at Emirates National Oil Co (ENOC).
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Accountancy and Costing from Mangalore University.
He is also an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the United Kingdom.
Stephen Menezes is responsible for insurance and risk management functions at Crescent Petroleum. Stephen has over 20 years of experience in insurance and risk management. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum in 2008, he served as the Head of Insurance at Emirates National Oil Co (ENOC).
DIMITRIS TSOUROPLIS
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES
Dimitris Tsouroplis is responsible for Crescent Petroleum’s human capital development, including resourcing, rewards, and talent management. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum, Dimitris has held senior managerial positions in HR for several multinational companies including BP, the Coca-Cola Company, Vodafone, and the Libra Group.
Most recently, he was with the Libra Group, a family conglomerate business in shipping, aviation, and energy, in which he held the Human Resources Director role based in London and New York.
Dimitris holds a Master in Business and Management from the University of Aberdeen, UK, and a postgraduate degree in Human Resources from the International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland.
Dimitris Tsouroplis is responsible for Crescent Petroleum’s human capital development, including resourcing, rewards, and talent management. Prior to joining Crescent Petroleum, Dimitris has held senior managerial positions in HR for several multinational companies including BP, the Coca-Cola Company, Vodafone, and the Libra Group.
Naveen Jain
Director, Corporate Affairs
Naveen leads the Corporate Affairs function at Crescent Petroleum, bringing extensive experience in strategy, finance, and business development. Before joining Crescent Petroleum, he held senior leadership roles at various multinational companies, including Dubai Holding, Damac, Ernst & Young, HSBC Bank, Al Naboodah, and Univar Group.
Most recently, Naveen served as Business Development Director at Dubai Holding, a global investment conglomerate with assets exceeding USD 35 billion and operations across 13 countries. In this role, he contributed to business expansion initiatives across diverse sectors such as real estate, hospitality, media, leisure & entertainment, and technology.
Naveen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Gold Medal from MDS University, India. He is a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary and earned his MBA from the University of Leeds, UK. Additionally, he is a member of The Chartered Management Institute, London, and has completed an executive leadership program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Naveen leads the Corporate Affairs function at Crescent Petroleum, bringing extensive experience in strategy, finance, and business development. Before joining Crescent Petroleum, he held senior leadership roles at various multinational companies, including Dubai Holding, Damac, Ernst & Young, HSBC Bank, Al Naboodah, and Univar Group.
BERNARD DE WOLFF
SENIOR DIRECTOR, PROJECTS
Bernard de Wolff is responsible for field development and surface facilities at Crescent Petroleum. Bernard has more than 25 years of experience in project management, engineering, construction, and field development, both onshore and offshore, in the North Sea and the Middle East and North Africa region, including Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Egypt.
Bernard de Wolff is responsible for field development and surface facilities at Crescent Petroleum. Bernard has more than 25 years of experience in project management, engineering, construction, and field development, both onshore and offshore, in the North Sea and the Middle East and North Africa region, including Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Egypt.
SYED ZAKI HASSAN
DIRECTOR, FINANCE
Zaki is an international gas and power specialist with 16 years’ in-depth experience advising governments, multinationals, and public and private sector clients on deal structuring, energy economics, business strategy, market restructuring, valuation and regulation/policy across the world. He was the Managing Director, Corporate Finance with Global Union Energy ventures in Bahrain and Director, Energy Corporate Finance with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London before joining Crescent as Consultant Financial Advisor. Zaki holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from London University and a degree in Physics from Oxford University.
Zaki is an international gas and power specialist with 16 years’ in-depth experience advising governments, multinationals, and public and private sector clients on deal structuring, energy economics, business strategy, market restructuring, valuation and regulation/policy across the world. He was the Managing Director, Corporate Finance with Global Union Energy ventures in Bahrain and Director, Energy Corporate Finance with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London before joining Crescent as Consultant Financial Advisor. Zaki holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from London University and a degree in Physics from Oxford University.