By Sarah Kent
LONDON--Oil giant BP PLC has appointed the former chief of the
U.K's secret intelligence service as a nonexecutive director, the
company said Thursday.
John Sawers worked as the head of MI6 from 2009 to 2014 under
two prime ministers, Gordon Brown and David Cameron. His
appointment highlights the long-standing intersection of
geopolitics and oil production, partly because of the location of
large oil reserves in politically unstable regions. BP has
significant interests in challenging political environments such as
Iraq and Russia.
"I think global diplomatic experience is invaluable and always
has been, " a spokesman for BP said, highlighting Mr. Sawers
substantial experience in the field.
During his 36-year career with the British government, Mr.
Sawers also worked as an ambassador to the U.N. and Cairo, special
representative to Iraq, foreign-policy adviser to the prime
minister and political director at the foreign office.
BP didn't disclose any details of Mr. Sawers' remuneration
package, but according to the company's 2014 annual report, its
nonexecutive directors can expect to earn upward of GBP150,000 a
year in fees and benefits.
Write to Sarah Kent at sarah.kent@wsj.com
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