bp has appointed Meg O’Neill as its next chief executive officer, with effect from 1 April 2026, as Murray Auchincloss prepares to leave the role and step down from bp’s board.
The board decision was announced on 17 December. Auchincloss has decided to leave his positions as CEO and board director with effect from 18 December.
Until O’Neill takes up the post next year, Carol Howle, currently executive vice president for supply, trading and shipping at bp, will serve as interim CEO. Auchincloss will remain with the company in an advisory capacity until December 2026 to help manage the transition.
Looking back on his time at bp, Auchincloss said that, after more than three decades with the company, it was the right moment to hand leadership to a new CEO. He noted that when Albert Manifold became chair he indicated he was open to stepping aside if a leader was identified who could accelerate delivery of bp’s strategy. He added that he is confident bp is well positioned for significant growth and that he looks forward to following the company’s future progress and success under O’Neill’s leadership.
O’Neill currently serves as CEO of Woodside Energy, a position she has held since April 2021, during which time she oversaw the acquisition of BHP Petroleum International. Since joining Woodside Energy in 2018, she has held roles including chief operating officer, EVP Development and EVP Development and Marketing. Prior to that, she spent 23 years at ExxonMobil in technical, operational and leadership roles.
In her statement, O’Neill said bp plays an important role in supplying energy to customers around the world and that she is honoured to be appointed as the company’s next CEO. She pointed to bp’s portfolio of assets and its potential to re-establish market leadership and grow shareholder value, and said she looks forward to working with the leadership team and colleagues globally to improve performance, strengthen safety, drive innovation and sustainability, and help meet worldwide energy demand.
Following O’Neill’s decision to leave Woodside Energy, the company’s board has named Liz Westcott as acting CEO with effect from 18 December, according to a press release.
Westcott has been responsible for Woodside Energy’s Australian operations as EVP and COO Australia since she joined the company in June 2023. Earlier in her career she served as COO at Energy Australia, after spending 25 years at ExxonMobil in positions based in Australia, the UK and Italy.
