BP short-lists three internal candidates for CEO

BP's board has short-listed interim CEO Murray Auchincloss and two senior female executives as internal candidates to replace Bernard Looney as chief executive, three company and industry sources told Reuters.

BP was thrown into turmoil after Looney resigned on Sept. 12 for failing to disclose relationships with employees and leaving no clear succession plan in place.

The company's people and governance committee under BP Chairman Helge Lund is now focussed internally on Auchincloss, head of trading and shipping Carol Howle and Emma Delaney, head of customers and products, the sources said.

The committee, which is expected to reach a decision in the coming weeks, is also considering external candidates, the sources said.

Howle or Delaney would become the first woman to lead one of the five top Western oil and gas companies.

An internal appointment would also signal board support for continuing BP's current strategy which aims to slash carbon emissions, build up renewables and clean fuel capacity while cutting oil and gas output by 2030, the sources said.

An announcement on the appointment is expected in the first quarter of next year, Reuters reported earlier this month citing industry sources.

A BP spokesperson said "the process to appoint a new CEO is under way. We won't comment on detail or on speculation regarding potential candidates."

BP had previously said it would consider internal and external candidates.

Auchincloss, Howle and Delaney are all members of BP's leadership team and were appointed by Looney after he took office in February 2020.

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