Peter Sutherland is Chairman of Goldman Sachs International and non-executive Chairman of BP plc.
Educated at Gonzaga College, University College Dublin and the King’s Inns, Peter Sutherland graduated in Civil Law. He was also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. From 1969 to 1981 he practised at the Bar.
Peter Sutherland currently serves on the Board of Directors of:
• Investor AB
• Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
and is associated with the following organisations:
• Trilateral Commission (Europe) Chairman
• World Economic Forum, Foundation Board Member
• The European Institute (USA), Director
• The Conference Board, member of the Board of Trustees
Prior to his current position, Mr Sutherland served as:
• Attorney General of Ireland (1981-1984)
• EC Commissioner responsible for Competition Policy (1985-1989)
• Chairman of Allied Irish Banks (1989-1993)
• Director General of The World Trade Organisation, formerly GATT (1993-1995)
His awards include the Gold Medal of the European Parliament (1988), the First European Law Prize (Paris 1988), The David Rockefeller Prize, the Grand Cross of Civil Merit (Spain 1989), the Grand Cross of King Leopold II (Belgium 1989), the New Zealand Commemorative Medal (1990), Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (France 1993) Commandeur du Wissam (Morocco 1994) the Order of Rio Branco (Brazil 1996) and the Grand Cross of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique (Portugal 1998). He is the honorary Consul for Uruguay in Ireland. He was also presented with the Robert Schuman Medal for his work for European Integration. Furthermore, he received the European Person of the Year Award (1988), the Irish People of the Year Award (1989), the Consumer for World Trade Annual Award (1994) for distinguished service, and the Dean’s Medal (1996) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
He has received eleven honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and America. He was awarded an honorary fellowship of the London Business School in recognition of his contribution to business and trade (1997).
His publications include the book ‘Premier Janvier 1993 ce qui va changer en Europe’ (1989) and numerous articles in law journals. He Chaired the Committee that reported to the EEC Commission on the functioning of the Internal Market after 1992 (The Sutherland Report).