LONDON (Reuters) – BP (BP.L) has appointed Gareth Burns as head of its global venture division to oversee the company’s investments in start-up technology as part of its low-carbon energy transition.
Barnes, who joined from Norwegian rival Equinor (EQNR.OL), has been building and leading energy ventures since 2016, BP said in a statement.
BP’s venture businesses have invested $1 billion in 70 companies and currently actively manage 30 of them. Businesses range from unmanned aerial vehicles to geospatial analysis software and artificial intelligence.
BP also appointed Giorgia Carchitto as Senior Vice President, Low Carbon Commercial Assets. Carchitto previously worked for RWE Renewables.
Both roles will report directly to Giulia Chierchia, Head of Strategy, Sustainability and Ventures.
BP has recruited dozens from rivals and major renewable energy companies in recent years to advance CEO Bernard Rooney’s plans to rapidly expand renewable energy and low-carbon businesses in the UK. staff were withdrawn.
Reported by Ron Busso.Edited by Jason Neely
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