Lime Rock Partners Promotes Benjamin Burns to Managing Director Position

Investor - People | Feb 13, 2025 | Lime Rock Partners LLC

Lime Rock Partners, a private equity firm specializing in investments in the upstream energy sector, has announced the promotions of two of its key team members. Benjamin Burns has been elevated to a Managing Director position, joining Andrew Gautier-Winther, who was promoted in 2024. Burns, who joined the company in 2014 from Barclays, has developed a significant role in investments aligned with CrownQuest and other energy ventures. Meanwhile, long-serving Managing Director Will Franklin is retiring after 16 years, having been instrumental in several major investments including GEODynamics and Shelf Drilling. Lime Rock, founded in 1998, has successfully raised over $10 billion and operates via three strategies: Lime Rock Partners, Lime Rock Resources, and Lime Rock New Energy. These promotions and retirement signal a shift in leadership as the firm continues to expand its influence in the energy sector.

Sectors

Private Equity
Energy

Geography

United States – Lime Rock Partners operates primarily in the United States, focusing on energy investments in this geography.

Industry

Private Equity – Lime Rock Partners operates within the private equity sector, investing in growth capital for energy companies.
Energy – The firm specializes in investments in the upstream energy sector, including exploration and production as well as oilfield services.

Financials

$10.0 billion+ – Total private equity funds raised by Lime Rock Management since its inception.

Participants

Name	Role	Type	Description
Lime Rock Partners LLC	Private Equity Firm	Company	A private equity firm specializing in investments in the upstream energy industry.
Benjamin Burns	Managing Director	Person	Recently promoted to Managing Director at Lime Rock Partners, with a background in energy investment management.
Andrew Gautier-Winther	Managing Director	Person	Managing Director at Lime Rock Partners since 2024, playing a key leadership role in the firm's strategy.
Will Franklin	Retired Managing Director	Person	Retired Managing Director who led several major investment initiatives during his tenure at Lime Rock Partners.
Jeffrey Scofield	Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer	Person	COO of Lime Rock Partners, highlighting the contributions of the newly promoted Directors.