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BP has appointed Meg O’Neill as its new chief executive in a surprise change at the top, marking the first time that a woman has been appointed to the helm of one of the world’s top five oil companies.
The FTSE 100 oil giant said current boss Murray Auchincloss has stepped down after less than two years and will be replaced by Woodside Energy chief executive Ms O’Neill on April 1.
Mr Auchincloss will remain with the group in an advisory role until December next year to help with a smooth handover, while Carol Hawley, current executive vice president of supply, trading and shipping at BP, will act as chief executive on an interim basis until Ms O’Neill joins.
Mr. Auchincloss’s sudden departure following the appointment of albert In July, Manifold was appointed the new chairman of BP.
Mr Auchincloss took over the top job when former boss Bernard Looney stepped down in September 2023 after failing to disclose his past relationships with company associates.
Mr. Auchincloss said, “When Albert became chairman, I expressed my openness to stepping down and a suitable leader was identified who could accelerate the implementation of BP’s strategy.”
Ms O’Neill’s appointment made history as she became the first woman to run BP, but also the first woman to lead a top five global oil company.
He has led Woodside Energy since April 2021, having been promoted after holding a number of senior roles at the firm since joining in 2018.
Before this, she worked ExxonMobil In various executive roles for 23 years.