Cox to retire as head of BP’s alternatives
London, 11 June: BP’s head of alternative energy, Vivienne Cox, is to retire from the company after four years of leading the division.

She will be replaced by Katrina Landis, the current chief operating officer of BP Alternative Energy. Landis has worked in various roles since joining BP in 1992, including running the firm’s Asia-based trading activities.

The alternative energy division was launched in 2005, focusing on low-carbon power. At the time, its CEO reported to Cox, who was chief executive of BP’s gas, power and renewables division.

In 2008, BP's alternative energy division was expanded to cover renewables in transport and power. The division currently includes the oil giant’s activities in wind power, solar power, biofuels, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen power and venture capital investing.

BP expects to cut its investment in alternatives this year, to $500 million–1 billion, compared with $1.4 billion last year. This comes after cutbacks in its solar division and possible cuts its carbon trading business. The firm is planning to invest a total of $8 billion in alternatives by 2015.

Meanwhile, Cox will retain her seat on the board of Climate Change Capital, confirmed a spokeswoman for the London-based investment manager, which specialises in the opportunities generated by the transition to a low-carbon economy.