
Business Development & Geophysics Professional
- Website: www.alanvigner.com
- Phone: +44 7500 705 731
- City: London, UK
- Degree: PhD
- Email: avigner@gmail.com
- Citizenship: British/French
Profile
Business Development and Geophysics professional with 20+ years’ experience across seismic processing, imaging, and commercial expansion in Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa. Proven ability to win new business, build strategic client relationships (including governments and NOCs), and drive growth in both multi-client and proprietary seismic markets. Combines strong technical foundation with commercial acumen to position cutting-edge geophysical solutions, expand regional footprint, and deliver revenue growth. Bilingual (French/English).
Core Strengths
- Business Development & Sales: Market entry strategies, client engagement, government relations, contract negotiation.
- Regional Expertise: Extensive Europe focus, Africa, Middle East, and India.
- Client Solutions: Pre-sales, solution design, technical workshops, tender management.
- Leadership: Mentoring pre-sales teams, coaching junior staff, cross-cultural collaboration.
- Technical Edge: Seismic imaging, velocity modelling, Python automation – enabling consultative selling.
Professional Experience
Principal Solution Consultant
01/04/2018 - Present
AspenTech, Woking, UK
- Supported global pre-sales and client-facing consultancy, influencing multi-million-dollar software sales.
- Delivered technical workshops and proof-of-concepts that converted prospects into long-term clients.
- Represented AspenTech at conferences (EAGE, SPE) to promote solutions and generate leads.
- Built strong client relationships across Africa, Middle East & Europe, advising on seismic processing and imaging workflows.
Founder & Director
01/06/2015 - 31/03/2018
GaiaSeis, London, UK
- Founded seismic consultancy with a commercial focus on Africa, Middle East, and India.
- Led BD strategy, expanding reach through targeted marketing, technical presentations, and direct client engagement.
- Won contracts by demonstrating value of advanced seismic processing (noise attenuation, multiple suppression, geobody detection).
Business Development Manager
01/01/2014 - 30/06/2015
GeoTeric, London, UK
- Grew market share in North Africa, Middle East & India, positioning GeoTeric’s interpretation software.
- Built C-level relationships with key clients; tailored proposals and negotiated contracts.
- Trained sales team on Salesforce, strengthening pipeline management.
- Delivered persuasive presentations and solution demos, directly leading to new software adoptions.
Sales Manager
01/04/2012 - 31/12/2013
CGG, Crawley, UK
- Designed and marketed innovative multi-client 2D/3D seismic surveys in Africa.
- Negotiated directly with governments and regulators, especially in French-speaking Africa, to secure survey approvals.
- Developed and executed the Africa-wide marketing plan for multi-client business, expanding revenue and client base.
Sales Supervisor - Africa
01/01/2011 - 31/03/2012
PGS, Weybridge, UK
- Managed multi-client sales campaigns, delivering growth in Africa.
- Forged new strategic partnerships and represented PGS at industry conferences.
- Produced impactful marketing material and successfully negotiated licensing agreements.
Senior Geophysicist
01/07/2006 - 31/12/2010
PGS, Weybridge, UK
- Transitioned from technical role into commercial interface, frequently presenting to clients and regulators.
- Gained valuable experience in technical credibility to support BD engagements.
Education
Postdoctoral Researcher
17/02/2003 - 16/02/2005
WesternGeco, Gatwick, UK
Research topic: Analysis of the vector fidelity of multi-component acquisition systems and impact on the seismic processing
- Conducted a comprehensive literature review on various ocean bottom seismic acquisition systems and methodologies for analyzing these datasets.
- Implemented a frequency-dependent methodology to compare vector fidelity across different ocean bottom acquisition technologies.
- Initiated and managed a seismic data library, ensuring proper organization and accessibility of valuable seismic data resources.
- Participated in international meetings, actively engaging with industry experts and stakeholders, and published research results to contribute to the advancement of the field.
PhD Student, with honors and congratulations
01/09/1998 - 07/11/2002
IPGP, Paris, France
- Participated in the acquisition of multiple marine surveys in the Caribbean and Marmara Sea, as well as land surveys in Tibet and Greece.
- Conducted processing and interpretation of seismic data from two surveys in the Cycladic and North Aegean Trough, employing advanced techniques to extract valuable insights.
- Received training in various seismic processing software, including Geovecteur and Seismic Unix, enhancing proficiency in data analysis and processing.
- Engaged in team teaching activities, providing valuable guidance and knowledge sharing to master students in the field of seismic exploration and interpretation.
- Underwent training at Geomar (Germany) to utilize Pre-Stack Depth Migration software, applying it to analyze a seismic line in the North Aegean Trough.
- Acted as a supervisor for a bachelor student's project on "Seismic reflection in the Cyclades," offering mentorship and guidance throughout the research.
Master of Geophysics (DEA), with honors
01/09/1997 - 30/06/1998
IPGP, Paris, France
Bachelor of Physics, with honors
01/09/1995 - 30/06/1996
Université de Caen, Caen, France
Baccalaureat C, with honors
01/09/1992 - 30/06/1993
Deauville, France
Skills
Interests
Outside of work, two of my greatest passions are astronomy and history, both of which have captured my imagination and fueled my desire for knowledge. I express my fascination for the beauty and mysteries of the universe through my website, showmethesky.
In the realm of astronomy, I find myself constantly in awe of the beauty and mysteries that lie beyond our planet. Whether it's gazing at distant galaxies, exploring the intricacies of star formation, or pondering the existence of black holes, each discovery opens up new dimensions of understanding. The sheer vastness of the universe reminds me of the infinitesimal nature of our own existence, and it humbles me.
On the other hand, my passion for history takes me on a journey through time. History is a tapestry woven with countless stories, events, and the lives of those who came before us. By delving into the annals of the past, I gain a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit today. Whether it's exploring ancient civilizations, examining pivotal moments in human history, or discovering the lives of remarkable individuals, history offers a captivating narrative that connects us to our roots.
Both astronomy and history offer me a sense of wonder and curiosity. They push the boundaries of my imagination, urging me to explore the unknown and seek knowledge beyond the confines of my everyday life. Whether I am peering through a telescope at distant stars or immersing myself in the pages of historical accounts, these passions ignite a fire within me that fuels my desire to understand the vastness of the universe and the intricacies of our shared human experience.