THE management team led by Tom Cross could grow North Sea-focused Parkmead Group into one of Europe's leading oil and gas firms, an analyst has said.

Brendan Long at Charles Stanley said: "We believe that the company has the leadership team, the technical team, the assets and the growth trajectory to make it a pre-eminent European oil and gas company."

Mr Cross made £57 million when the Dana Petroleum business he built was bought by Korea National Oil Corporation in 2010. Parkmead Group has made four acquisitions since Mr Cross became executive chairman in 2010.