BP 2011 Annual Report Download - page 33

Business review: Group overview
BP Annual Report and Form 20-F 2011 31
The people of BP are united by a common code
of conduct and values, and share an aspiration to
make BP a stronger, safer company that makes a
positive difference to the world.
Our organization: People and governance
Our board
The board is responsible for the direction and oversight of BP on behalf of
shareholders. As at 31 December 2011, it comprised the chairman, nine non-
executive directors together with the group chief executive; the chief financial
officer and the chief executive of BP’s Refining and Marketing segment.
The executive directors have responsibility for the day-to-day running of BP,
while the non-executive directors bring independent viewpoints and a breadth of
experience, along with insights into how other companies manage key issues.
Five of our current non-executive directors have been appointed since 2010.
Board committees play an increasingly important role. The committees
are: the Gulf of Mexico committee; the safety, ethics and environment assurance
committee; the audit committee; the remuneration committee; the nomination
committee; and the chairman’s committee. In addition, an independent international
advisory board advises our chairman, group chief executive and board on strategic
and geopolitical issues relating to the long-term development of the group.
In 2011, an internal review of risk management systems and processes
was undertaken to enhance clarity, simplicity and the consistency of our risk
management system, from front-line operations through to the boardroom. See
Our management of risk on page 42 for further information. Also in 2011, a new
board steering group completed a review of board governance. The review looked
at the structure, roles, tools and processes involved in board and board committee
work. The findings of the review will inform a new set of board governance
principles, which will be published later in 2012. See Board performance report on
pages 120-133 for further information.
Our employees
We employ approximately 83,400 people (including 14,600 service station staff),
the majority of whom are located in the US and Europe. The Deepwater Horizon
oil spill in 2010 had a profound effect on our employees, and to strengthen and
standardize what we do, we launched a range of internal change projects in 2011.
See How BP is changing on page 36 for more information.
In addition, we are working hard to address a critical issue facing everyone
in our industry – a growing skills gap. This, alongside the increasing demand for
energy products and complexity of projects, means that attracting and retaining
skilled and talented people is vital.
Our leadership has focused on ensuring that appropriate development
opportunities and succession plans are in place to build capability. To supplement
our existing internal capability, we also target experienced and skilled professionals
in the external market and are continuing to increase our intake of graduates to
create a strong internal talent pipeline for the future.
We provide a range of professional development programmes and training
to build capabilities in our people and are committed to creating an inclusive work
environment where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity, respect and without
discrimination.
In detail
For more information,
see Corporate governance.
Pa ge 119
Above In 2011, BP
announced the start of
natural gas production
from the Serrette field,
offshore Trinidad.
Below A team at
work in East Texas.
As operator, BP drilled
148 wells across the
US Lower 48 states
in 2011.
In detail
For more information
on employees, see
BP in more depth.
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