Sutherland to chair research institute

FORMER attorney general Peter Sutherland has landed the post of chairman at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Mr Sutherland, who was also Ireland's European Commissioner between 1984 and 1989, is currently chairman of oil giant British Petroleum.

He will take over from the current LSE chairman, Lord Grabiner, in January 2008, and will serve an initial term of three years, which can be extended by the college's board for a further three.

The LSE is recognised as one of the world's foremost education and research institutions.

In a statement, LSE director Howard Davies said: "My academic colleagues and I are delighted that Peter Sutherland has agreed to join us and, in time, to take on the chairmanship of the school.

"His background in public policy and his business and international interests match the LSE's profile remarkably well."

The college did not disclose how much Mr Sutherland will be paid, though it is unlikely he will need the money. He pockets around €700,000 a year as BP's chairman and holds a substantial stake in investment bank Goldman Sachs worth tens of millions.

The 59-year-old also holds a string of other posts, including roles at Trinity College Dublin, the Brussels-based European Policy Centre, the World Economic Forum, the Royal Irish Academy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.