BP Solar appoints new managing director 

In early February it became public that BP Solar's CEO and president Harry Shimp will not extend his contract. 
 

© PHOTON International John Mogford will replace Harry Shimp as managing director of BP Solar.

Only a few months after the world's second largest PV manufacturer decided to shut down its thin-film plants last November, he is succeeded by John Mogford, who was the vice president of BP's Gas, Power and Renewables since April 1, 2002. Before that he was group vice president for»Health, Safety and Environment."« Mogford has been working in a variety of positions at BP since 1977, most of them related to the company's oil business. 

He entered the PV stage last October as a speaker at the inauguration of the»PV in Europe« conference in Rome. At the conference he underscored that BP Solar was the fastest growing business in the BP portfolio, although challenges still persist, such as tough market conditions, structural blocks and difficulties finding customers. 

At BP Solar, Harry Shimp assists Mogford as an external advisor during a transitional phase. Shimp was hired from the US manufacturer Solarex in spring 1999 to arrange the merger with BP Solar as a result of the fusion of parent companies Amoco and BP. 

Johannes Bernreuter, Bruce Carnevale
© PHOTON International, March 2003