Lightsource BP has bolstered its top table with the appointment of a new non-executive chairman, a hire the company said would boost its global expansion ambitions.
Mike Roney is to join the Lightsource BP board from 1 June, taking the tally of board members to six. It currently comprises three executives from Lightsource and two from BP, which bought a 43% stake in the firm for (US$200 million) last December.
Lightsource BP said Roney would bring “extensive experience” in executive management and corporate government, having served as chief executive at FTSE 100 distribution and outsourcing firm Bunzl for more than ten years.
Roney also currently serves as the chairman of fashion retailer Next and Grafton Group, the builders merchants.
Nick Boyle, chief executive at Lightsource BP, said Roney was joining at an “exciting time” for the company and said his experience in leadership, investments and finance were perfectly placed to help “steer the company through this period of rapid global expansion”.
His view was shared by Dev Sanyal, chief executive at BP Alternative Energy, who lauded Roney’s experience in developing markets such as South America and Asia, areas he described as “key growth areas” for Lightsource BP.