Business Development & Geophysics Professional

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, and drive growth in both multi-client and proprietary seismic markets.

Alan Vigner Professional Headshot
20+
Years Experience
10+
Countries
2
Languages

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.

Professional Experience

Two decades of leadership in geophysics and business development across global markets

Principal Solution Consultant

AspenTech
Apr 2018 - Present 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.
  • Led initiatives within the Processing & Imaging Global Community, ensuring consistency across demos and messaging, and spearheaded the launch of the P&I Global Webinar Series to enhance cross-regional collaboration.
  • Built strong client relationships across Africa, Middle East & Europe, advising on seismic processing and imaging workflows.

Founder & Director

GaiaSeis
Jun 2015 - Mar 2018 London, UK
  • Founded a seismic consultancy with a commercial focus on Africa, the Middle East, and India.
  • Led business development strategy through targeted marketing, technical presentations, and direct client engagement.
  • Delivered high-impact technical demonstrations showcasing the value of advanced seismic processing (noise attenuation, multiple suppression, geobody detection) to prospective clients.

Business Development Manager

GeoTeric
Jan 2014 - Jun 2015 London, UK
  • Expanded GeoTeric’s market presence across North Africa, the Middle East, and India, successfully positioning its interpretation software within key accounts.
  • Developed and maintained C-level relationships, delivering tailored proposals and securing high-value contracts.
  • Mentored junior team members and trained the sales team on Salesforce, improving pipeline visibility and sales efficiency.

Sales Manager

CGG
Apr 2012 - Dec 2013 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

PGS
Jan 2011 - Mar 2012 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

PGS
Jul 2006 - Dec 2010 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 & Training

Academic foundation in geophysics and advanced research

PhD Student

IPGP, Paris, France

Sep 1998 - Nov 2002

with honors and congratulations

Analysis and interpretation of vertical and wide-angle seismic reflexion datasets in the Aegean crust

  • 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.

Postdoctoral Researcher

WesternGeco, Gatwick, UK

Feb 2003 - Feb 2005

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.

Master of Geophysics (DEA)

IPGP, Paris, France

Sep 1997 - Jun 1998

with honors

Bachelor of Physics

Université de Caen, Caen, France

Sep 1995 - Jun 1996

with honors

Baccalaureat C

Deauville, France

Sep 1992 - Jun 1993

with honors

Skills & Expertise

Technical and professional capabilities spanning multiple domains

Market analysis Staff training Client/Vendor relation Process improvements Project management Leadership Flexibility Public speaking Teamwork Creative Mentoring Problem solving
Seismic Data Processing Seismic Interpretation Tomography Attributes Illumination Survey Design Geobodies Facies Classification Echos GeoDepth EarthStudy360 SeisEarth GeoTeric Seismic Unix Omega
Windows 10/11 Microsoft Office Unix / Linux Python C C-Shell Matlab R
Bootstrap HTTPS HTML PhP API JavaScript Animation jQuery CSS MySQL

Publications

Recent research contributions to the field of geophysics and seismic imaging

Enhanced Seismic Imaging with LAD-Based LSM: a Case Study

Second EAGE Data Processing Workshop

October 4, 2025

Co-authored with other researchers

A Complete Workflow for the Estimation and Validation of Seismic Attenuation

85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition 2024

July 4, 2024

Co-authored with other researchers

Beyond Work

Exploring the cosmos above and the rich tapestry of human history below

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Astronomy

Exploring the beauty and mysteries of the universe

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.

Show Me The Sky

A passion project exploring astronomical wonders

Visit Project →
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History & Culture

Uncovering stories from the past

My passion for history and culture takes me on journeys through time and place. From ancient civilizations to pivotal moments that shaped our world, I'm fascinated by the stories, events, and remarkable individuals who came before us.

Whether walking through historic sites, exploring architectural heritage, or delving into the cultural narratives of different eras, each discovery deepens my understanding of how the past continues to influence our present.

Cultural Walks

Guided explorations through historical and cultural landmarks

Visit Project →
"Astronomy and history both ignite my sense of wonder and curiosity. They push the boundaries of imagination, urging me to explore vast cosmic distances and deep historical narratives—seeking knowledge that transcends everyday experience."

Get in Touch

Let's discuss opportunities in geophysics and business development

✉️

Email

avigner@gmail.com

📞

Phone

+44 7500 705 731

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Location

London, UK

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Website

www.alanvigner.com

Available for consulting opportunities and strategic partnerships