Genel loses second co-founder as Rothschild steps down

LONDON, June 5 (Reuters) - Genel Energy (Other OTC: GEGYF - news) co-founder Nathaniel Rothschild has resigned from the Iraqi Kurdistan oil producer, the latest in a series of high-profile departures from the loss-making company.

Rothschild's departure follows the resignations of chairman and co-founder Tony Hayward, the former BP chief executive, and of chief financial officer Ben Monaghan, a former J.P. Morgan banker.

Although only a non-executive director Rothschild was influential as he still owns a stake of around 7.9 percent in the company.

Genel on Monday also announced the departure of fellow board member Simon Lockett, head of the audit and nominations and the health and safety committees.

"Today's news suggests that more substantial changes are afoot, as the ties with the past are broken," said analysts at RBC Capital Markets.

New Chairman Stephen Whyte will take the helm on Tuesday from Hayward when the company holds its annual meeting.

"The composition of the board will be a focus for the new chairman," a Genel spokesman said on Monday.

The oil producer has been grappling with a steep reserves downgrade at its flagship Kurdish oilfield and the effect of weak oil prices on its revenues.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in Genel traded down 6.6 percent at 0912 GMT, underperforming the sector index which was down 0.3 percent. (Reporting by Karolin Schaps; Editing by Keith Weir)