Seadrill has appointed Samir Ali as President and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, replacing Simon Johnson.

Ali moves into the top role from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. The management change follows recent contract progress at Seadrill, including a one-year priced option with Equinor offshore Brazil.

Julie J. Robertson, Chair of the Board of Seadrill, said the board saw Ali as the right leader for the company. She said he had shown strong leadership, deep industry knowledge and a clear commitment to operational excellence since joining the group. Robertson also said the board would support him as he takes on the CEO position.

Ali has served as Chief Commercial Officer since August 2022. Before joining Seadrill, he worked at Diamond Offshore, where he most recently was Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Development.

Earlier in his career, Ali worked as a Debt and Equity Investment Portfolio Manager at Bain Capital and as an Investment Banker at Simmons & Company.