Sam Laidlaw

London, UK

Executive Chairman

Neptune Energy

Biography

As Chairman of Neptune Energy, Sam Laidlaw has significant international experience in the energy sector. Neptune Energy Group was launched in June 2015 with the ambitious goal of building a leading independent oil and gas platform with material scale and strong operating capabilities.

Formerly, Sam was CEO of Centrica - Britain’s largest energy provider, where he rebuilt 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 INSEAD MBA in Business Administration, Sam 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 was also previously 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

Neptune boss urges Aberdeen to drive ‘collective action’ on climate change

The executive chairman of Neptune Energy has urged Aberdeen’s energy sector to drive “collective action” on climate change. Sam Laidlaw spoke at the OGUK Industry Conference yesterday, praising the city for setting the global “benchmark” for innovation in the wake of the latest oil downturn. He said, “We’re setting the benchmark for the rest of the world, striving for safe, reliable and responsible operations that go hand-in-hand with an unprecedented focus on productivity and efficiency...

Neptune Energy announces 2018 Results

Sam Laidlaw, Executive Chairman: “We are delighted with the strategic progress Neptune has made during 2018. We have completed three important acquisitions in the period and have made significant strides towards our ambition of establishing Neptune as a leading international independent exploration and production company..."

View allHide

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).

View allHide

Other Business Interests

Rio Tinto

Non-Executive Director

Feb 2017 - Present

London, UK

A global mining group, Rio Tinto focuses on finding, mining and processing the Earth's mineral resources.

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.