BP has appointed the former boss of MI6 to join its board.

John Sawers was the head of the Secret Intelligence Service between 2009 and 2014 and will join the company as one of the non-executive directors.

He worked for the UK Government for 36 years in international affairs and security, including in Iraq, Egypt, South Africa and the US, BP said in a statement.

He is currently chairman at Macro Advisory Partners and a visiting professor at King’s College London.

Carl-Henric Svanberg, Chairman of BP said Mr Sawers “brings extensive experience of international affairs and geopolitics”.

Paula Rosput Reynolds, who has “deep experience in the energy and financial services sectors” has also been appointed as a non-executive director.

She started her career as an economist before spending over 25 years in the energy sector in a variety of operational and corporate roles, including at the Duke Energy Corporation and the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.