Total names duo to replace late Christophe de Margerie

Total has named the executives to replace Christophe de Margerie, the executive chairman who died in a plane crash in Moscow on Monday.

According to BBC, Total said after a board meeting that the roles of chief executive and chairman will be split temporarily.

The company appointed Patrick Pouyanne, head of refining (pictured), as chief executive and Thierry Desmarest, former chief executive, as chairman.

An accident, involving the collision of a private jet with a snow plough on the airport runway, claimed the lives of de Margerie and three crew members.

The authorities have accused the snow plough driver of being drunk. But he has denied drinking, saying on Wednesday that he lost his bearings in the bad weather and was not aware he was on the runway.

Pouyanne, 51, a graduate engineer, spent many years at the French industry ministry before joining Total in 1997.

Desmarest, aged 68, was chief executive between 1995 and 2007, and was appointed honorary president of Total’s board of directors in 2010.

In a statement, Total said that Desmarest would retire at the end of 2015, after which the roles of chief executive and chairman would be re-combined.

Analysts said Desmarest would help mentor Pouyanne in his role until he takes over as executive chairman.