May 14 (Reuters) - British oil and gas group Serica Energy on Tuesday named Chris Cox as its new CEO, effective July 1.

Cox, 63, replaces Mitch Flegg, who announced his departure in February after six years in the role.

Cox has over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, and has previously held top roles in Spirit Energy, Capricorn Energy and Kellas Midstream, Serica said in a statement.

The company, which has expanded production sharply through acquisitions and investments in recent years, also said interim CEO Chairman David Latin will step down when Cox takes the helm. (Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Varun H K)