By Shariq Khan

NEW YORK, July 13 (Reuters) - Commodities trader Gunvor's global head of research and analysis Frederic Lasserre has announced plans to retire from the firm and industry veteran Chris Roth took over his role as of June 1, a company spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

Lasserre, one of Gunvor's most public-facing executives in recent years, will stay at the company in a transition and support role until the end of the year, the spokesperson told Reuters.

One of Lasserre's most recent public engagements for Gunvor was at CERAweek in March, considered the oil industry's foremost annual gathering.

Lasserre's retirement is the latest in a string of high-profile changes to Gunvor's senior ranks following a management buyout of former chief executive Torbjorn Tornqvist. U.S.-based executive Gary Pedersen took over the top job following the buyout.

Roth, similar to Pedersen, spent the bulk of his more-than-35-year career with U.S. conglomerate Koch's supply and trading division before he joined Gunvor in August 2025. He previously held senior leadership roles at Koch's Houston, London, Rotterdam, and Wichita, Kansas, offices, the Gunvor spokesperson said.

Roth's career so far has been highlighted by integrating machine learning, automation, and real-time analytics into trading and investment decisions, the spokesperson said.