Energy Secretary Ed Davey has announced that civil servant Sir Patrick Brown will take up the role of chairperson of the North Sea's new regulator Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
Sir Patrick, former Permanent Secretary to the Department for Transport from 1991-1997, will work closely with Chief Executive Andy Samuel, who was appointed earlier this year, as he continues to build the senior leadership team for the new regulator. The first three directors were announced in February and further recruitment is ongoing
The formation of the Oil and Gas Authority was a key recommendation in Sir Ian Wood's Maximising Economic Recovery review of the North Sea. The CEO and Chairman's appointment pointed to the progress made in establishing the regulatory body in a short period of time, said Davey.
“Sir Patrick brings a wealth of experience to this role and his appointment is another step forward in getting the OGA up and running at a crucial time for the North Sea industry which plays a vital role in protecting the UK’s energy security.” Davey said.
The OGA will become an Executive Agency next month (April), and will work with industry and government to maximize economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources.
Sir Patrick Brown held various positions in the Department for Transport and the Department of the Environment, becoming Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of the Property Services Agency in 1990.
Sir Patrick became a non-executive director of the Go-Ahead Group plc in 1999 and its Chairman in 2002. He was involved in the creation of the regulators Ofwat and the ORR.
Sir Patrick was appointed to the Board of the Northumbrian Water Group in May 2003 and to the Board of Northumbrian Water Limited in January 2006.
He was also Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Alexander Proudfoot UK and is currently a director of Camelot UK Lotteries.