Oracle appoints Leon Panetta as director

Former CIA director Leon Panetta has been named as a director of business software developer Oracle.

Former CIA director Leon Panetta has been named as a director of business software developer Oracle. (AAP)

Oracle Corp has named Leon Panetta a director, effective immediately.

The business software developer says the addition of Panetta, who has served as US defense secretary and director of the CIA, will expand its board of directors to 12 members.

Oracle's board members serve one-year terms.

Panetta, who is 76 years old, will be up for re-election at Oracle's next annual shareholder meeting in November.