Ikon Science's Leadership Team

Denis has over 15 years of expertise in various aspects of software commercialization – from software research and development to project services work, client support, course development, team management, project management and strategic marketing. While working on his PhD in geotechnical engineering more than 20 years ago, he focused extensively on modeling the propagation of uncertainties through engineering designs to more efficiently quantify and manage risk. That expertise led over the years to the successful productization of several state-of-the-art scientific software applications for the oil and gas industry, particularly in the areas of quantitative interpretation and geostatistical reservoir modeling. Denis has published widely in journals and conferences around the world.

Co-founded Great Hill Partners in 1998 to provide successful executives with the funding and support needed to build enterprise class businesses. Over the course of his 35+ year career in private equity, he has served on 48 boards and participated in over 150 acquisitions. More importantly, he have learned that being a knowledgeable, active partner and good sounding board is as important as access to capital.

Derek is a Growth Partner with Great Hill Partners. He enjoys working with great people and solving hard problems. He has worked in both small and very large organizations helping bring new technologies to market as well as leading the transformation of mature, diverse product portfolios with mixed Go-To-Market.

Sushma Bhan is the SPE’s Technical Director of Data Science & Engineering Analytics. She is focused on the industry’s future direction maximizing value from Data Sciences specifically supporting environmental, safety, digital transformation, and enhanced production. 

Sushma is a Director at Ikon Science where she gives guidance on company growth opportunities and provides high-level product oversight.  Also, serves on Rice University’s Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Board of Affiliates.  

Previously, Sushma was the Chief Data Officer of Subsurface and Wells at Shell, where she created business co-owned data strategies and accountability for global data accelerators, standards, and subsurface digital-value funnel. Her three-decade Shell career spanned various roles including leading Wells, Reservoir, and Facility Management (WRFM) global technical data resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings and value outcomes for the company. 

Sushma was the recipient of 2024 Hart Energy’s Influential Women in Energy Honoree, 2023 SPE International President’s award for the best Technical Section, 2020 SPE International and 2019 Gulf Coast Section awards for Management & Information (M&I) for distinguished contributions to the Petroleum industry. Sushma actively mentors young professionals, especially women and students locally and overseas. She has an M.S. from University of Delhi and an Executive-MBA from University of Houston. 

Martyn founded Ikon Science in 2001. He has over 30 years’ experience in new ventures and technology application in the oil and gas industry, working in International Geoscience and commercial roles for GSI Inc, Candecca Resources Plc, Hardy Oil and Gas, Jebco Inc, Acre Oil Plc and BG Plc. Prior to Ikon, he was Managing Director of IKODA Ltd and built the company from a start up to one of the largest independent upstream consulting groups dealing with high profile upstream deals including the North Caspian PSA negotiations and awards to the OKIOC consortium and related deals including a half billion dollar disposal of these assets.

He has a long term interest in the public role of Geoscience and has provided this expertise on the board of a number of Industry R&D “think tanks” such as the Petroleum Science and Technology institute (PSTI) and Centre for Marine and Petroleum Technology (CMPT). He is currently a member of the CeREES Geo-Energy board of Durham University. He has been a founding shareholder or director of oil companies including Fusion Oil and Gas Plc, Virgo Energy Plc, a private oil and gas explorer sold to Encore oil Plc in 2006, and Ophir Energy Plc.

Martyn earned an Honours degree in Geology from Durham University, UK and a post graduate qualification in Geophysics from Queen Mary College University of London. He is an active member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Institute of Petroleum and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain.

Denis has over 15 years of expertise in various aspects of software commercialization – from software research and development to project services work, client support, course development, team management, project management and strategic marketing. While working on his PhD in geotechnical engineering more than 20 years ago, he focused extensively on modeling the propagation of uncertainties through engineering designs to more efficiently quantify and manage risk. That expertise led over the years to the successful productization of several state-of-the-art scientific software applications for the oil and gas industry, particularly in the areas of quantitative interpretation and geostatistical reservoir modeling. Denis has published widely in journals and conferences around the world.

Antony Towers is the Chief Financial Officer for Ikon Sciences. He has over 30 years of experience in Finance and has spent the last 13 years working in different CFO positions.  He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Clearcourse Partnership, a buy and build business operating in the subscription management space. He also served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for FastMarkets Limited/Metal Bulletin, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Infonic AG and the Chief Financial Officer for Fidessa LatentZero.

Antony is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds an MBA from Henley Business School.

Stuart Thomson was appointed Ikon’s Chief Technology Officer in 2019 where he is responsible for bringing together technologies, science and innovation to innovate Ikon’s knowledge management solutions.

Joining Ikon in 2018 as VP of Technology, Stuart managed the integration between the iPoint platform and RokDoc following the acquisition of Perigon Solutions. Prior to Ikon, Stuart held several positions at Perigon over a 15-year tenure including Chief Technology Officer and VP of Development. While at Perigon, Stuart designed and developed its flagship product, iPoint, and was responsible for all aspects of software development, product management and technological offerings with a focus on cloud computing and emerging technologies. He served on the Perigon board from 2012.

Stuart holds a BS in Computer Science and Math from the University of Aberdeen, UK.

Stuart Hunt is the Vice President of Human Resources. Most recently, he served as Director of Human Resources for EMEA and APAC at KLDiscovery, a company providing technology-enabled services and software to help law firms, corporations, government agencies, and consumers solve complex data challenges. He also held HR management positions at International SOS, Datamonitor and RBS Markets and International Banking.

He received his master’s degree in Personnel and Development from the University of Greenwich.