Cockett Insight
Executive Committee
CEM SARAL
Group Chief Executive Officer
Cem Saral has over 27 years of industry experience in marine fuels and fuel oil trading. During his career Cem has been employed in various key trading and management roles by leading oil trading and marine fuel oil companies. He has a wide geographical coverage and direct working experience in Europe, Asia, US, Far East and the Middle East. Cem was last employed at Vitol’s fuel oil trading team before joining to Cockett on March 2015.
Having worked extensively at both marine fuels and fuel oil trading industries, Cem has a sound understanding of the entire fuel oil supply chain and physical trading on a global basis. As a further value-add, he has had the opportunity to employ these direct trading experiences into areas of business development, management and strategic M&A activities.
Cem holds a BSc degree in Operations Research from Turkish Naval Academy and throughout his career he has attended a wide range of programs on trading, risk, finance and management.
ARNAUD PAYOT
Group Chief Financial Officer
Arnaud Payot’s career in the financial arena spans more than 35 years in which he has worked for global players in the energy and transport sectors, with a particular focus on the oil and gas industry.
Prior to joining Cockett in June 2015, Arnaud held during his 25 year career with Shell multiple senior Finance positions across Trading and Downstream Businesses where he gained an in-depth knowledge of majority of challenges associated to oil business and global organization.
Implementation of advanced ERP, introduction of new corporate policies in trading and credit areas as well as enhanced controls where first domains in Cockett to directly benefit from his past experience.
Arnaud holds a Master’s in Finance ESSEC and Engineering degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées (ENSTA Paris Tech), Palaiseau, France.
FRANK HOWARD
Director - Group Projects & Investments
Frank Howard joined Cockett Group in 2012 having previously spent the previous 10 years working for one of the shareholders Grindrod Shipping in various senior financial roles in South Africa. Frank has extensive experience in shipping, finance and project related areas (Asset / business acquisitions, disposals, contract negotiation and taxation).
Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa in 1996, he spent several years working in Financial Management for listed South African corporates prior to joining Grindrod.
Frank holds a commerce (BCOM) and Law (LLB) degree from a South African University, as well as post graduate Degrees in Finance and Shipping Law.
LISA JESSUP
Director - Group Support Services
Lisa has over 30 years corporate support services experience and is well versed in a broad range of areas, including Human Resources, Corporate Secretarial, Compliance, Corporate Governance, IT, Office Administrations, as well as Marketing and Communications.
Prior to joining Cockett Group, she worked in the mid-corporate banking arena for 20 years, holding senior management and regional positions with several international banks like Fortis and BNP Paribas. She has first hand experience in many aspects of corporate business, such as set up, growth, relocation, integration, restructure and disposal.
Lisa is a certified associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers (London, UK), a certified member of the Securities & Futures Association in the UK, a qualified Prince 2 Project Management Practitioner (London, UK), holds various CPD certifications, and is involved with several education charities and mentorship programmes.