BP Selects Murray Auchincloss as a Permanent CEO

BP has selected Murray Auchincloss, an internal candidate, as its new Chief Executive Officer, according to an announcement by the UK oil and gas giant. Auchincloss, who previously served as BP’s Chief Financial Officer, assumed the role provisionally in September 2023 following the unexpected departure of Bernard Looney.

It’s noteworthy that Auchincloss, like his predecessor, is in a disclosed relationship with a colleague, ensuring compliance with company rules.

Looney, the previous CEO, resigned after less than four years, citing the failure to disclose personal relationships with colleagues. Helge Lund, chair of BP, expressed unanimous board agreement that Auchincloss stood out as the outstanding candidate and the right leader for BP.

Auchincloss, a 53-year-old Canadian, has been with BP since its merger with oil company Amoco in 1998. He served as chief of staff to the BP CEO from 2010 to 2013 and became Chief Financial Officer in July 2020. In response to his appointment, Auchincloss expressed his honor, emphasizing the company’s great people and unwavering commitment to its strategic transition from an international oil company to an integrated energy company.

Under Looney’s brief tenure, BP became the sole major oil company aiming to reduce fossil fuel output by the end of the decade, although targets were scaled back in 2023. Auchincloss is expected to navigate the challenges left by Looney’s sudden resignation and uphold BP’s focus on the transition to green energy.

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