BG Group plc (BG Group) announced that Martin Houston, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Director, has stepped down from the Board and Group Executive Committee (GEC) with immediate effect, and will retire from the Group by 31 December 2014.

Sami Iskander, Executive Vice President Operations will now take over the role of Chief Operating Officer, with immediate effect, reporting to Chris Finlayson. Sami was appointed to the GEC in 2009.

Matt Schatzman, Executive Vice President, Global Energy Marketing & Shipping will now also report directly to Chris Finlayson. Matt was appointed to the GEC in January 2012.

Martin joined the predecessor company to BG Group, British Gas Corporation, in 1983 as a petroleum geologist. During his time with BG Group he gained extensive international experience from a wide variety of technical, commercial and management roles, and played a leading role in developing the Group's unique LNG business model. He became BG Group Executive Vice President in 2000.

Tags: BG Group