Gulf Keystone (LON:GKP) has hired Nadhim Zahawi, a current conservative member of parliament (MP) as the company’s new chief strategy officer.
Zahawi, who is Kurdish but moved to the UK from Iraq as a child, has been the member of parliament for Stratford-on-Avon since 2010. The role at GKP is a non-board appointment, and it is expected that Zahawi will work for the company on a part time basis.
GKP chief executive Jón Ferrier told investors that Zahawi’s appointment will help the company strengthen relationships with the Kurdistan Regional Government as well as other key stakeholders in the region.
"With his Kurdish heritage and as a successful businessman, Nadhim brings a range of additional and critical skills to the company,” Ferrier said.