AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Meren’s CFO, Aldo Perracini, discusses challenges including navigating regulatory demands as a first-time CFO in a listed company and culturally integrating Prime and Africa Oil. He emphasizes the importance of a technically competent team that prioritizes discipline, resilience, and integrity, fostering transparency where the best ideas prevail. While not losing sleep, he’s vigilant about geopolitical volatility and its potential impact on the oil and gas industry, ensuring the company remains proactive in mitigating risks. He emphasizes the need for people to be comfortable admitting mistakes in order to improve and to ensure that the best ideas are successful.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Global Finance:Â Since you took the CFO role at Meren, what has been your main challenge?
Aldo Perracini: I’d highlight two main challenges. First, stepping into my first CFO role at a listed company brought a significant shift, particularly around regulatory demands and managing relationships with equity investors. It’s been a steep but rewarding learning curve. Second, integrating Prime and Africa Oil wasn’t just operational, it was cultural. Both had strong, independent teams, and we worked hard to bring them together. Today, we’ve built a streamlined, unified team that’s aligned in purpose and values.
GF: What’s distinctive about the CFO role in the oil and gas industry?
GF:Â How much has AI changed the way you work?
GF:Â Looking ahead two to three years, how do you define success in your role?
GF:Â What areas absorb most of your time and energy?
GF:Â How do you ensure you have the right team in place?
Perracini: It starts with technical competence across finance, accounting, and technology. But just as important is culture: discipline, resilience, and above all, integrity. Transparency is key; people should feel safe to admit mistakes or challenge ideas. The best argument should always win, no matter who it comes from. That’s how you build trust and make better decisions.
GF:Â What keeps you up at night?
Perracini:Â Honestly, I sleep well! But volatility is always on my mind. The first thing I do each morning is check the news for any geopolitical shocks, from missiles to tariffs. These events can impact our industry instantly. Being alert to that risk helps us stay ahead and mitigate it wherever possible.
