Scottish Gas parent Centrica has reportedly approached a top BP director as a possible successor to chief executive Sam Laidlaw as the energy giant’s boss prepares to stand down after nearly eight years.
Centrica is believed to have approached BP refining chief Iain Conn as a potential candidate to take over at the helm as it undergoes a major boardroom shake-up.
A changeover at the top would come at a difficult time for Centrica as it faces renewed political pressure over energy bills and the threat of being broken up.
The group is likely to re-ignite the debate over rising energy bills when it releases full-year figures this week. It is expected to reveal its UK retail arm made profits of £590million last year, down from £606 million in 2012, but equating to around £50 for each of its 12million domestic supply customers.
It is thought Mr Laidlaw recently told the board he wanted to step down, although he is said to have signalled some time ago he wanted to quit and has only been delayed by a series of high-level departures around him.
Chairman Sir Roger Carr left after nine years in the job, replaced last month by Rick Haythornthwaite.
Financial director Nick Luff announced in January that he was leaving, with a successor yet to be appointed.
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