Paddy Rodgers, the high-profile former chief executive of tanker giant Euronav, has defied industry speculation by making a radical career switch.

He has been appointed the director of Royal Museums Greenwich, the world-renowned group of museums and historic institutions in the south-east London suburb where he lives.

“What is really exciting for me is the museum’s superb reputation and the challenge to build that scope,” said Rodgers, who stepped down from Euronav earlier this year after almost two decades in the post.