Tony Hayward to advise Numis

Tony Hayward, the former head of BP who was forced to depart in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico spill, has joined the new advisory board at Numis, the City investment banking and broking firm.

Numis said it was setting up the board to help it expand its business, and was "looking to attract contemporary business people with unparalleled experience in their field".

A series of gaffes after last year's oil spill had led to Mr Hayward being replaced by Bob Dudley as chief executive of BP. His appointment at Numis marks the latest step in his return to prominence in the business world.

Earlier this year, he joined forces with the financier Nat Rothschild to launch Vallares, a "special purpose acquisition company" that will buy upstream oil and gas assets in emerging markets.