Glencore's Oil Scandal: High-Profile Bribery Charges Unfold in Court

Alex Beard, Glencore’s former head of oil, has pleaded not guilty to bribery charges related to the company's operations in West Africa. He, alongside Andrew Gibson and four other former traders, faces accusations of corrupt payments to officials. Their trial is scheduled for October 2027.

Alex Beard, previously Glencore's head of oil, appeared in London court to defend himself against bribery allegations connected to the company’s West African dealings.

Beard, 59, rejected charges at Southwark Crown Court, where prosecutors accused him of conspiring to make illegal payments to Nigerian and Cameroonian government or state-owned oil company officials between 2007 and 2014.

Joining Beard in the dock was Andrew Gibson, former oil operations head, who denied separate bribery and document falsification charges. Both, along with four other former traders who also pled not guilty, are set to face trial starting October 2027.