The business secretary is drafting the former UK boss of BP onto the board of his department, underlining the shifting of government priorities towards Britain’s energy security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sky News has learnt that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will announce this week that Peter Mather, who left the oil giant at the end of last year, is being appointed as a non-executive director.
Mr Mather’s appointment will come six months after Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, asked officials to kick off a search for a board member who would champion the department’s net zero policy objectives.
AdvertisementThe change of emphasis in the role reflects Boris Johnson’s determination to make energy independence a central element of the next phase of his premiership.
More from BusinessMr Kwarteng said: “In our national mission to ensure the UK’s clean energy independence, Peter’s wealth of experience in the energy industry will prove invaluable as we ensure our energy security into the future by boosting nuclear power and renewables in the UK.
“I look forward to working with him, and the rest of our board, to deliver on our energy security goals and to supercharge our use of cheap, clean renewables.”
Part of Mr Mather’s brief will include the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy, a Whitehall source said on Wednesday, although they acknowledged that the focus had switched to energy security since Vladimir Putin’s decision to declare war on Ukraine.
As a consequence of that, Britain announced plans earlier this month to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
A new energy security strategy prioritising renewable and domestically generated sources was being targeted for launch this week, but is reported to have been delayed amid funding disagreements between Number 10 and the Treasury.
Mr Mather is one of the most prominent executives in the British energy industry.
He was BP’s UK head of country and regional president for Europe for more than a decade, and has remained as chair of the company’s European supervisory board.
Mr Mather has also served on government councils focused on issues such as Jet Zero, hydrogen and carbon capture usage and storage.
A government source said it was likely that Mr Mather’s appointment would anger green campaigners.
“We know this will rile the Extinction Rebellion crowd, but we need business and industry expertise in the building to help us boost energy security and increase renewables to bring down energy bills,”
“Those calling for us to turn off the taps in the North Sea overnight and distance ourselves from the industry are living in an alternative universe and have no respect for people’s jobs or energy bills.”