THE FINANCE director at the Dublin and London-listed oil and gas exploration company Providence Resources, is leaving the company to become chief executive of Falcon Oil & Gas, a Canadian-listed explorer.

While Philip O’Quigley has resigned his executive role with Providence, he will continue to serve as a non-executive director of the company.

An accountant by training, Mr O’Quigley has worked in the oil and gas industry since the early 1990s. He has held senior positions with Glencar Mining, Petroceltic International and others.

Tony O’Reilly jnr, chief executive of Providence, said Mr O’Quigley had “been an integral part of the Providence team since 2008”.

Last month Providence said it had found commercially viable oil and gas flows at its Barryroe well off the coast of Co Cork.

It is also planning to drill off the Dublin coast.