Directorate Change - Appointment of CFO

Helix Exploration PLC

27 July 2026

 

27 July 2026

Helix Exploration PLC

("Helix" or the "Company")

Directorate Change - Appointment of CFO

Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX, OTCQB: HEXFF), the US based helium production and liquefaction company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Ciardiello to the Board of Directors and as Chief Financial Officer with effect from 31 July 2026. US-based Mr Ciardiello is replacing UK-based Ryan Neates who will step down as a Director and CFO to enable the consolidation of the Company's finance function in the US where Helix's operations are located.

Matthew is a natural resources specialist with over 20 years' experience spanning positions as a company founder, board member, principal investor, and advisor. He currently leads Anexus CFO, the fractional CFO servicer for clients in the natural resources sector. Previous roles include CFO positions at US-based Thermolic and Gura Gear, and he also founded and served as CEO for Poplar Resources LLC, the oil and gas exploration and production company. During his time at Poplar Resources, Matthew led a nitrogen-enhanced oil recovery project implementation in an established oilfield in Montana while pursuing helium-exploration activities in the field's deeper zones.

Matthew also has experience with public companies, having served as CFO for NASDAQ listed Magellan Petroleum Corporation, the oil and gas exploration and production company whose assets span Montana, Australia and the UK. He holds a BA from Harvard University and is a CFA charterholder.

Keith Spickelmier, Chairman, commented:

"We are pleased to welcome Matthew to Helix. He has significant relevant geographical and commodity experience which will be valuable to the Company now that we are operating revenue generating assets in Montana and Oklahoma.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Ryan for his contribution to the business over the past two years. During his tenure as CFO, Helix has financed and brought into commercial production one of the few new primary helium projects in North America and acquired a strategic processing asset to diversify the Company's revenue streams. We look forward to Ryan's ongoing assistance with UK-facing financial and reporting matters."

Ryan Neates, Chief Financial Officer, commented:

"I am immensely proud of what we have built at Helix in such a short time frame. With the recent acquisition, I believe we have established a fantastic foundation for a fully integrated Company that has the ability to disrupt the industry and create significant value for shareholders. I believe this accomplishment marks the reaching of a natural inflection point where it makes sense to hand over to a US-based CFO with industry experience to take the Company forward - I am confident Matthew is the right person to do this."

Further information on the appointment of Matthew Ciardiello pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2, Paragraph (G) of the AIM Rules for Companies appears further below.

Enquiries:

Helix Exploration plc Bo Sears Keith Spickelmier	[e-mail]
Cairn - Nominated Adviser Liam Murray Ludovico Lazzaretti James Western	[phone]
Hannam & Partners - Broker Neil Passmore Leif Powis	[phone]
Vigo Consulting - Financial PR Ben Simons Patrick d'Ancona	[phone] [e-mail]

Notes to Editors

Helix Exploration PLC is a US based helium production and liquefaction company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: HEX), with operations spanning the helium value chain from production through to liquefaction. Its flagship Rudyard Project in Montana is the state's first producing helium field, with three stacked helium-bearing reservoirs in a proven geological setting and an initial four wells delivering commercial helium flow rates. Production commenced in February 2026 through an on-site PSA processing facility, with first commercial sales commencing in July 2026 to an industrial gases group.

Following the acquisition of the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma, one of only six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States, Helix has become an independent US helium producer owning both upstream production and liquefaction infrastructure. The acquisition positions the Company to capture greater value across the supply chain, process both its own and third-party helium, and support the growing North American helium market with flexible, independent liquefaction capacity.

Helix's assets are characterised by low-cost production, established infrastructure, significant and fully funded expansion potential, and a strategy focused on building a fully integrated helium business capable of delivering sustainable long-term growth.

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INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER RULE 17 AND SCHEDULE 2, PARAGRAPH (G) OF THE AIM RULES FOR COMPANIES ("AIM RULES")

Full name: Matthew Ryan Ciardiello

Age: 44

Shares held in the Company: nil

Options held in the Company: nil

Current Directorships	Previous Directorships held in the past five years
Anexus Consulting LLC Grosfillex Inc. National Drowning Prevention Alliance RPA Rockets Swim Team	Poplar Resources Corporation Poplar Holdings LLC TerraStor Energy Corporation BoardBuild Adam Energy Fort Worth Navigators Chapter 283 Fort Worth TX Ridglea Swimming Pool Association NPMRC LLC

In May 2025, Poplar Resources LLC, a subsidiary of a company of which Matt Ciardiello was a director at the time, filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the US. The bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing.

There is no further information to be disclosed in relation to the appointment pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

 

END