Vitol has appointed Clive Christison to a newly created role head of origination and business development, leading the development of Vitol’s growing midstream and downstream investment portfolio. Clive will join Vitol from bp where he was SVP Fuels Supply and Midstream, based in Chicago, and responsible for leading the fuel supply and midstream business globally.

In his role, Clive will leverage his 30 years’ experience to optimise the performance of Vitol’s portfolio of mid and downstream assets, through the integration and coordination of supply. He will also work with the respective management teams and Vitol trading teams to develop and pursue strategic opportunities.

During his 24 years with bp Clive held a number of senior roles in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Russia, managing both infrastructure and trading and supply for regional and global businesses. He joined bp in 1999 from Mobil.

Russell Hardy, CEO, Vitol said: “We look forward to welcoming Clive to Vitol. His broad experience of the energy sector will benefit our growing portfolio of mid and downstream companies as we challenge them to grow and adapt for a net-zero future in the long term.”

Clive Christison, added: “The energy challenges facing the world are complex and multifaceted. I am pleased to be joining Vitol and working with its investments and portfolio companies as they strive to improve the delivery of energy solutions, as efficiently and safely as possible.”

Clive has a BEng in chemical engineering from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Clive will be based in the London office.