Australian independent Tap Oil has appointed James Menzies as its executive chairman to lead the company through its next phase of growth.

Menzies joined the board of Tap in May 2016 as an independent non-executive director.

He was the founder of Southeast Asia-focused UK company Salamander Energy in December 2004, and led the company as chief executive until 2015 when it was acquired by Ophir Energy.

Menzies