John Knight is currently serving on Statoil’s Corporate Executive Committee (equivalent of a US/UK unitary board) as Executive Vice President responsible for Global Strategy and Business Development.  Since being appointed to the position in January 2011, Knight has overseen the realization of several notable deals, including the $5 billion acquisition of Brigham Exploration in the US Bakken tight oil play and the signing of a £15 billion agreement with Centrica to supply natural gas to the UK and sell production rights to North Sea assets. 

Prior to his current appointment, Knight was a member of the company’s international production & development board responsible for international business development and strategy from 2002-2010.  During this same time, Statoil witnessed significant international expansion, entering into JVs in Algeria, Brazil, Canada, and the US.  Knight also played a central role on the transition committee for the merger of Statoil and Norsk Hydro in 2007. 

Prior to joining Statoil, Knight held various positions in both law and energy investment banking with Shell International Petroleum, Chase Manhattan Bank, UBS, and Salomon Brothers.  Mr. Knight holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in law from Cambridge University and the Inns of Court School of Law.