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 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.

He replaces Philip O’Quigley, who has been appointed chief executive of Falcon Oil & Gas, a Canadian-listed explorer. Mr O’Quigley remains a non-executive director of Providence. 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.

Providence shareholders last week backed a share placing by the group which will help fund ongoing drilling at the Barryroe prospect off the coast of Co Cork.