Business big shot: James Moffat

Mr Moffat, who studied civil engineering at Edinburgh University, starts in March
Mr Moffat, who studied civil engineering at Edinburgh University, starts in March

Age 58

Position Chief executive, Lamprell

The oil rig maker synonymous with profit warnings, contract delays and cost overruns has finally found a new boss to steer it to calmer waters. In one sense, Lamprell’s hiring of James Moffat, the executive in charge of the Gorgon liquefied natural gas project in Australia, is a coup. The engineer has gained experience from managing the world’s most expensive energy project since August 2010. But Lamprell’s long-suffering investors will be praying he doesn’t repeat Gorgon’s ballooning costs in his new job.

Chevron, Gorgon’s operator, is expected to confirm this week that costs of the A$40 billion project have risen by almost half. To be fair, the budget was set before Mr Moffat took over. Most of the increase