Robert Horton (businessman)
Sir Robert Horton | |
---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | |
Spouse |
Sally Doreen Wells (m. 1962) |
8th Chairman of British Petroleum | |
In office 1990–1992 | |
Preceded by | Sir Peter Walters |
Succeeded by | John Baring |
Sir Robert Baynes Horton
Early life and education
Sir Robert was the son of William Harold Horton and Dorothy Joan Horton (née Baynes). He was educated at
He was chairman of the
Career
Sir Robert joined BP in 1957, and from 1960 on held a series of positions in oil supply, marketing, finance, and planning. In 1980 he became chief executive officer of BP Chemicals International and held that position until December 1983 when he was elected to the BP board as a managing director, with responsibility for finance, planning, and the Western Hemisphere.[4] On his election as chairman and chief executive officer of Standard Oil in April 1986, Horton resigned from BP. But following the merger of BP and Standard Oil in July 1987, he was appointed chief executive officer of BP America, Inc. As chairman of British Petroleum in 1990, Sir Robert Horton aimed to reorganise the company in such a way as to attract and advance outstanding personnel.[5] He was forced out in 1992 after "management turmoil and disagreements with the company's board."[2]
He was chairman of Railtrack from 1993 to 1999 and led the organisation through the early years of its existence, including an industrial dispute from June to September 1994.[6] He was non-executive chairman of Betfair from 2004 to 2006.[7]
References
- ^ a b Who's Who 2008 p.1123.
- ^ a b Prokesch, Steven (2 June 1992). "Company News: B.P.'s Chief Is Forced Out; Stock Plunges". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Sir Crispin Tickell". University of Kent Newsletter. 27 (6). August 2006. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Sir Robert Horton". The Daily Telegraph. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ White, Alan F. (1 February 1992). "Organizational transformation at BP: an interview with chairman and CEO Robert Horton". AllBusiness. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ Harper, Keith (27 February 1999). "Horton quits Railtrack". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Betfair appoints new chairman". Goliath. M2 Presswire. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2012.