Kevin Lyon, formerly head of private equity giant 3i's operations in Scotland, has added another directorship to his portfolio of non-executive roles.

Kevin Lyon, formerly head of private equity giant 3i's operations in Scotland, has added another directorship to his portfolio of non-executive roles.

Lyon has joined the board of Valiant Petroleum, one of a growing number of independent oil and gas firms focused on the mature North Sea.

Peter Buchanan, chief executive of Valiant, said Lyon's experience in merchant banking and private equity investing would allow him to make a valuable contribution to the acquisitive company.

Valiant was formed in 2004 with a strategic focus on the UK North Sea, and was awarded its first block of assets in 2005 in the Don areas of the North Sea in a licensing round with Petrofac.

In July the company raised £10m from Bank of Scotland's oil and gas equity operation, which took a significant minority interest. Along with £110m debt, the funding gave Surrey-headquartered Valiant a substantial warchest for a big expansion drive in the North Sea. Valiant is participating in two appraisal wells in the North Sea.

Lyon's appointment was announced on a day when a report on drilling activity planned until 2010 in the North Sea underlined enthusiasm for the area.

Consultancy Hanon Westwood said 224 wells were in the planning stages. These will target 9.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent reserves and require investment of $4bn (£1.9bn).

Lyon's other non-executive roles include the chairmanship of printer Wyndeham Press and a directorship at cash-and-carry group Booker.