Aurelian Oil & Gas has appointed Rowen Bainbridge to its board and as chief executive effective July 27, 2009. Michael Seymour, Aurelian’s founder and current managing director, will become president.

Since it was founded by Seymour in 2002, Aurelian has focused on building up its portfolio of license interests in Central Europe and now has a significant appraisal project in Poland, gas production in Romania and prospective exploration acreage in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

In an effort to commercialize its resource position by converting current exploration and appraisal assets to bookable reserves and development projects, the company has opted to hire a CEO. Bainbridge’s remit will particularly focus on driving through the appraisal and development of the cornerstone Siekierki tight-gas accumulation in Poland.

Seymour will remain a director of the company and will continue to be particularly involved in the relationships with ministries and partners in the countries where the company is active.

Rowen has more than 22 years of international experience, and previously held positions as CEO of Ferrexpo Petroleum and vice president at BHP Billiton Petroleum.