Gulf Keystone recruits former Glencore Chairman Murray

4th Jul 2013 08:37

Gulf Keystone Petroleum has recruited former Glencore Chairman Simon Murray to its chair.The appointment of the 73-year old former French foreign legionnaire comes ahead of the oil explorer's planned move from Aim to the main market and follows its announcement in May that it would split Executive Chairman Todd Kozel's role in two.It also comes amid requests from shareholders for board changes. M&G the fund management arm of Prudential which owns 5.7% of the company last month proposed the election of four new non-executive directors at the company annual meeting later this month. Gulf Keystone yesterday advised shareholders not to vote yet while it completes its due diligence on each candidate. Murray takes up his new role immediately. He is a well-known and colourful business man who oversaw the flotation of Glencore in 2011. He is also known as an adventurer and became the oldest man to reach the South Pole unaided in 2004 when he was 63. Kozel, now Chief Executive, said: "Simon's wealth of international business experience particularly his experience in listing and chairing a FTSE 100 company will be invaluable in leading our migration from Aim to the Main market."The company added that it was still looking to appoint at least one other independent non-executive director.Shares in Gulf Keystone were up 3/4p at 146p at 09:21 on Thursday.TB