Sterling Energy plc announced that its Executive Chairman Alastair Beardsall will be retiring from the company with immediate effect after six years of service for personal reasons. Mr. Beardsall will also retire from the board of directors of the company. Mr. Nicholas Clayton, who joined the Sterling Energy board as a Non-Executive Director in October 2009, has been appointed by the Board to succeed Mr. Beardsall in the position of Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect. Mr. Clayton has provided strategic and corporate finance advice to a number of public and private oil and gas companies since January 2007.  Additionally, Sterling Energy announced the appointment of Mr. Michael Kroupeev as a Non-Executive Director of Sterling Energy with immediate effect.  Mr. Kroupeev has 21 years' experience working within the exploration and production sector.