Oil and gas exploration business North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) has named Sara Chouraqui as general counsel, a newly created position.
Chouraqui joins from the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), where she was head of its fraud, bribery and corruption division. At NABEP, she will lead its global legal function, advising on regulatory, governance, risk and transactional matters.
Barbados-headquartered NABEP operates across North and Latin America, with corporate offices based in Venezuela.
In addition, the company has named Elizabeth Collery and Victoria Jacobson as deputy GCs, also joining from the SFO where they worked alongside Chouraqui as case controllers.
Alejandro Betancourt, CEO of NABEP, said: “Sara and her team bring exceptional judgement, leadership and international experience developed over a career spanning private practice and some of the most high-profile cross-border enforcement matters of the past decade.
“Sara understands the complex legal and regulatory environment in which global businesses operate and, equally importantly, how a strong legal function can help a business grow, pursue opportunities and build lasting partnerships.”
Betancourt said this expertise will be critical as its seeks to expand its operations and strategic partnerships across the region.
Chouraqui arrives after almost eight years at the SFO, having previously spent just under three years at Steptoe & Johnson. Prior to that she was founding partner of Sara Chouraqui Kaplan Avocats in Paris, having started her career as an associate at Paul Hastings in New York.
She said: “As NABEP continues to grow, we are unwavering in our commitment to operating with integrity, upholding the highest legal and compliance standards, and setting a benchmark for responsible leadership in the energy industry in Latin America.
“Elizabeth, Victoria and I look forward to bringing our collective experience to support the business as NABEP contributes to the revitalisation of the Venezuelan economy.”
In other recent energy-related moves, earlier in August US energy infrastructure business Centuri Holdings hired former Berry Corporation president and GC Danielle Hunter as chief legal and administrative officer, replacing Jason Wilcock in the role.
In June, oil giant Chevron hired former Texas solicitor general Scott Keller as GC as part of its succession plan to replace outgoing CLO R. Hewitt Pate at the start of next year.
And in May, German energy business Uniper promoted Tina Hinz to GC and chief compliance officer, replacing Marc Merrill who was leaving the company after just over a decade.
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