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Scottish Enterprise
21/09/2008
A Scot who holds a senior position at one of the world's leading energy companies has agreed to join Scottish Enterprise's influential International Advisory Board (IAB).
Chevron Corporation's board vice chairman Peter Robertson was unveiled as a new IAB member following a meeting with Enterprise Minister Jim Mather in Kentucky.
A native of Edinburgh, the 61-year-old has been based in the US for a number of years now, and has been vice chairman of the board of directors for Chevron Corporation since 2002.
Mr Mather said:
"Now, more than at any other time in recent years, it is vital that in pursuing our strategy of sustainable economic growth that we tap into the best advice and knowledge that the business world can offer.
"I am delighted that Peter Robertson, with his vast experience in the energy sector, will now be playing a direct role in helping shape Scotland's economic development drive.
"We are extremely fortunate to have a group of people on the International Advisory Board whose impressive track records and achievements offer a uniquely exciting opportunity to advance Scotland's economic development in a way that is practical, innovative and inspiring."
Peter Robertson said:
"I look forward to the opportunity to help the government achieve its goals for sustainable economic growth for Scotland and to find ways that my experience in the global energy business can be applied to support this mission."
Chairman of Scottish Enterprise Sir John Ward said:
"Peter Robertson has an outstanding reputation on the global stage, and will bring extensive experience to the International Advisory Board. His knowledge and expertise of the energy sector will be of particular relevance as this is one of Scottish Enterprise's key priority industries.
"He is an exceptional addition to what is already an impressive group of people. I know that all my fellow International Advisory Board members will look forward to working closely with him in the future."
In August 2002 Scottish Enterprise established the IAB which comprises senior business figures who are Scots or people with a strong affinity to Scotland. Members are invited to join in recognition of their experience, positions of international prominence and influence in their respective industries and their willingness to contribute to Scotland's wealth creation agenda.
Chaired by Sir John Ward, the IAB complements the role of the Scottish Enterprise Board by contributing international business advice and market development perspective to Scotland's economic development drive.
The IAB builds on the idea of accessing world-class counsel and knowledge for the benefit of Scotland. It has met bi-annually since inception. At these meetings members provide advice on strategy, guidance on key landmark projects and support to Scottish companies with significant international potential.
Outside of the formal IAB meetings, members can contribute their expertise and advice by: providing contacts for and advice on projects where their particular skills and expertise are of specific value; speaking at events; working with schools to encourage entrepreneurial behaviour and working with companies they have met at formal meetings.
Peter Robertson is vice chairman of the board of directors for Chevron Corporation - a position he has occupied since January 1, 2002. Since becoming vice chairman, he has had a wide variety of responsibilities including direction of the company's worldwide exploration, production and global gas businesses; corporate strategic planning; policy, government and public affairs; corporate human resources; security; and compliance. He collaborates closely with the chairman in overseeing the strategies and operations of the company.
Robertson is a native of Edinburgh. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Edinburgh University, and he holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, where he attended as a Thouron Scholar.
He joined Unocal in 1971 and Chevron in 1973. Between 1973 and 1991, he worked in the United Kingdom and the United States in positions of increasing responsibility in the company's finance organization. In October 1989, he was elected vice president of finance for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. In October 1991, he was named president of Warren Petroleum Co., Chevron's former natural gas liquids subsidiary, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.
On Sept. 1, 1994, he was elected a vice president of Chevron Corporation, responsible for strategic planning. In March 1997, Robertson was elected president of CUSA and a vice president of Chevron Corporation, responsible for Chevron's North American exploration and production operations. In January 2000, he was named president of Chevron Overseas Petroleum Inc. (COPI). At COPI, he was responsible for directing Chevron's oil exploration and production activities around the world.