Sam Laidlaw

Executive Chairman

Neptune Energy

London, UK

Sam Laidlaw’s Biography

Sam Laidlaw has significant international experience in the oil and gas industry.

Sam is a Founder and Executive Chairman of Neptune Energy Group, an international oil and gas exploration and production company set up in 2015, and financed by private equity.

Previously, Sam was CEO of Centrica Plc, Britain’s largest energy provider, where he re-organised the company to increase efficiency and competitiveness. Other previous roles include Executive Vice President of Chevron Corporation; Non-Executive Director of Hanson PLC; Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Oil plc; and President and Chief Operating Officer of Amerada Hess Corporation.

A qualified solicitor with an MBA from INSEAD, Sam currently holds a number of Non-Executive roles including Non-Executive Director of HSBC Holdings and RioTinto. He is also the Chairman of the National Centre for Universities and Business, and Chairman of the UK Council for INSEAD.

Sam has been a member of the UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group and a Senior Director of the UK Department of Transport.

Sam Laidlaw’s Newsfeed

Now is the time for the government to promote research and innovation

Sam Laidlaw, chairman of the National Centre for Universities and Business, was writing in The Times.

The Times

Academic link ‘can fire up business’

Sam Laidlaw, the former boss of Centrica and chairman of the National Centre for Universities and Business task force, said: “The government has rightly acknowledged that research and development is paramount in the nation’s recovery from Covid-19."

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Sam Laidlaw’s Background

Neptune Energy

Executive Chairman

Jun 2015 - Present

London, UK

An independent oil & gas exploration and production company launched in June 2015. The Group seeks to identify large-scale investment opportunities in the North Sea, North Africa and SE Asia leveraging its strong relationship network and the current energy market dynamics. Neptune is backed by funds advised by two global alternative investment managers, The Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners.

Centrica plc

CEO and Chairman of the Executive and Disclosure Committees

2006 - 2014

London, UK

Centrica is the parent company of British Gas in the UK and Direct Energy in North America, serving over 27 million customers in these core markets.

Chevron

Executive Vice President for Global Business Development and Executive Chairman

2003 - 2006

London, UK

Sam was responsible for new business worldwide and had regional responsibility for Russia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Enterprise Oil

CEO

2001 - 2002

London, UK

During Sam's tenure, Enterprise Oil was Europe's largest independent oil and gas company. He successfully steered the company through a takeover by Shell whilst also fending off a hostile bid by ENI.

Amerada Hess Corporation

President and Chief Operating Officer

1981 - 2001

London, UK

Sam built Amerada Hess' North Sea business before running their worldwide Exploration & Production activities and becoming President and Chief Operating Officer (1995-2001).

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Current Board Positions

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Chair of the Global Leadership Council

Oxford, UK

Established in 1996, Saïd Business School at Oxford University is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. As Chair of the Global Leadership Council, Sam and other leaders from business and government provide advice and oversee the work of the school, approving major strategic decisions.

National Centre for Universities and Business

Chairman

Jun 2015 - Present

London, UK

The National Centre for Universities and Business supports, develops and promotes world-class collaboration between universities and business across the UK.