BP p.l.c. has announced the appointment of Meg O’Neill as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 April 2026. The move comes as current CEO Murray Auchincloss steps down from his role on 18 December 2025, though he will continue in an advisory capacity until December 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Carol Howle, BP’s Executive Vice President for Supply, Trading & Shipping, will serve as interim CEO until O’Neill assumes the role.
Meg O’Neill currently serves as CEO of Woodside Energy, where she has led the company since 2021, growing it into the largest energy company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. During her tenure, she oversaw the transformative acquisition of BHP Petroleum International, creating a geographically diverse portfolio of high-quality oil and gas assets. O’Neill previously spent 23 years at ExxonMobil in various technical, operational, and leadership roles worldwide.
Albert Manifold, Chair of BP, welcomed the appointment, stating: “Her proven track record of driving transformation, growth, and disciplined capital allocation makes her the right leader for BP. Her relentless focus on business improvement and financial discipline gives us high confidence in her ability to shape this great company for its next phase of growth and pursue significant strategic and financial opportunities.”
Manifold added that the leadership transition aligns with BP’s strategic vision to become a simpler, leaner, and more profitable company, emphasizing the need for increased rigor to maximize shareholder value.
O’Neill commented on her appointment: “BP plays a critical role in delivering energy to customers around the world. I am honoured to serve as the company’s next CEO. With an extraordinary portfolio of assets, BP has significant potential to reestablish market leadership and grow shareholder value. I look forward to working with the BP leadership team and colleagues worldwide to accelerate performance, advance safety, drive innovation and sustainability, and meet the world’s energy needs.”
Outgoing CEO Murray Auchincloss reflected on his tenure: “After more than three decades with BP, now is the right time to hand the reins to a new leader. I am confident that BP is well positioned for significant growth and look forward to the company’s future success under Meg’s leadership.”
Manifold also expressed gratitude to Carol Howle for serving as interim CEO, highlighting her 25 years of experience at BP and her ability to ensure strategic continuity during the transition.
The appointment followed a comprehensive search process overseen by a Board committee and assisted by an independent recruitment firm, as part of BP’s long-term succession planning strategy.
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