BP has announced the appointment of Meg O’Neill as its next chief executive officer, effective 1 April 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at the global energy major. The decision follows a comprehensive succession planning process led by the bp Board.
Current CEO Murray Auchincloss will step down from his role as chief executive and director on Thursday, 18 December. To ensure continuity, Carol Howle, executive vice president, supply, trading and shipping, will serve as interim CEO until Meg O’Neill formally assumes the role. Murray Auchincloss will continue in an advisory capacity until December 2026 to support a smooth transition.
Meg O’Neill to Lead bp’s Next Phase
Meg O’Neill joins bp from Woodside Energy, where she has served as CEO since 2021. During her tenure, she grew Woodside into the largest energy company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. One of her most notable achievements was overseeing the acquisition of BHP Petroleum International, creating a geographically diverse portfolio of high-quality oil and gas assets.
Before joining Woodside Energy in 2018, O’Neill spent 23 years at ExxonMobil, holding a wide range of technical, operational and senior leadership roles across North America, Asia and Europe. She currently serves as chair of Australian Energy Producers and sits on the boards of the Business Council of Australia and the American Petroleum Institute.
Albert Manifold, chair of bp, said the Board was confident in O’Neill’s ability to lead the company through its next stage of development. He highlighted her strong track record in transformation, growth and disciplined capital allocation, adding that her focus on operational improvement and financial rigor aligns closely with bp’s strategic priorities.
Focus on Simpler, Leaner and More Profitable bp
According to Manifold, the leadership change creates an opportunity to accelerate bp’s strategy to become a simpler, leaner and more profitable company. While progress has been made in recent years, the Board believes greater rigor and diligence are required to deliver transformative change and maximise shareholder value.
O’Neill said she was honoured to be appointed CEO of bp and described the company as playing a critical role in delivering energy worldwide. She noted that bp’s asset portfolio provides strong potential to reestablish market leadership and grow shareholder value. O’Neill added that she looks forward to working with bp’s leadership and global workforce to improve performance, advance safety, drive innovation and support sustainability while meeting global energy needs.
Murray Auchincloss Steps Aside After Three Decades
Murray Auchincloss, who has spent more than 30 years with bp, said the timing was right to hand over leadership to a new CEO. He noted that when Albert Manifold became chair, he had expressed his willingness to step aside if a leader was identified who could accelerate delivery of bp’s strategy. Auchincloss said he was confident bp is well positioned for growth under O’Neill’s leadership.
Carol Howle Named Interim CEO
The bp Board also expressed its appreciation to Carol Howle for agreeing to serve as interim CEO. With 25 years at bp, Howle brings deep institutional knowledge and experience across supply, trading and shipping. The Board said her leadership would ensure stability and strategic continuity during the transition period.
Howle has held several senior roles at bp, including chief operating officer for integrated supply and trading, oil, and leadership positions across shipping, natural gas liquids and global oil operations. She is also a non-executive board member of the Royal Navy and chair of its Navy Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
Baburajan Kizhakedath