LONDON, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The board of directors at oil major BP announced the appointment of former TNK-BP chief Robert Dudley to its membership in London effective April 6.
"I am pleased to welcome Bob Dudley to the board and back to BP," said BP Chairman Peter Sutherland in statements published on the corporate Web site. "He is a talented executive, experienced in all aspects of our business, who helped build TNK-BP into one of Russia's premier companies."
Dudley stepped down from his position at TNK-BP in December following a divisive row with Russian shareholders in the venture represented by the Alfa, Access/Renova group.
TNK-BP is the third-largest oil company in Russia.
Dudley fled Russia in July to carry out his responsibilities in a secret European location, citing harassment and disputes stemming from alleged violations of Russian labor laws.
AAR said Dudley was managing the firm as a division of BP, while BP officials worried about the growing influence of Russia in the merger.
BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said Dudley offers a broad resume.
"All of us in BP will benefit from Bob's extensive experience," he said.
