Former chancellor Alistair Darling will speak at an annual energy dinner in Aberdeen on Thursday.
He is addressing the Aberdeen, Highlands and Islands branch of the Energy Institute’s (EI) flagship event in the Marcliffe Hotel.
Other speakers include the European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger and the chief executive of Maersk Oil, Jakob Thomasen.
Alan Higgins, spokes-man for the Energy Institute branch, said: “This is a significant date in the event calendar for the energy industry throughout the north and north-east and is a tribute to the role the country plays in leading the global energy sector.
“The calibre of our speakers, as well as a guest list of 400 energy leaders, matches the importance of the occasion and I have no doubt that Alistair Darling will deliver an insightful speech, having served 24 years on the front line of British politics.”
The event receives administrative support from offshore catering and hotelkeeping specialist Trinity International Services, whose chairman, Stuart MacBride, said: “Aberdeen is still very much the oil capital of Europe and the eastern hemisphere. The Energy Institute dinner is a testament to the city, which remains one of the best places in the UK to do business.”