Gould to start hunt for next BG Group boss

The gas producer BG Group named Andrew Gould, the current chairman and former chief executive of Schlumberger, as its next chairman yesterday, kicking off the process to replace its chief executive Frank Chapman, who is due to retire in 2013.

Mr Gould will take up his new role in May, after stepping down, as previously announced, from his role at Schlumberger, the world's largest provider of services to oil companies.

Mr Chapman has said he plans to retire when he turns 60 at the end of 2013. He has led BG for the past 11 years. Mr Gould succeeds Robert Wilson, BG's chairman since 2004.