Biofuels Corporation - one of Europe's largest producers of biodiesel, a vegetable oil based version of diesel - has appointed Sean Sutcliffe as its new chief executive.

Currently executive vice-president and managing director, new businesses at BG Group, he will take up his post in the New Year.

John Nicholas, co-founder and current chief executive of Biofuels, will continue as a director in an executive role.

Sutcliffe says: "Biofuels has a clear strategy to deliver exceptional shareholder returns in the emerging biodiesel market.

"My focus will firstly be to ensure that the ongoing investment in Europe's largest biodiesel plant is successfully implemented, and thereafter to capitalise on Biofuel's position to develop further growth options."