Finance

BP's chief executives since 1990

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on December 18, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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BP's chief executives since 1990
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Dec 17 (Reuters) - Oil and gas major BP on Wednesday appointed Meg O'Neill, the head of Australia's Woodside Energy, as its CEO effective April 1 after an abrupt exit by Murray Auchincloss. Below is a

BP's Leadership History: Chief Executives Since 1990

Dec ‌17 (Reuters) - Oil and gas major BP on Wednesday appointed ‍Meg ‌O'Neill, the head of Australia's Woodside Energy, as its CEO ⁠effective April 1 after ‌an abrupt exit by Murray Auchincloss.

Below is a timeline from 1990 of chief executives at BP, who have led the British oil ⁠major through periods of expansion, crisis and strategic change. 

Date Tenure Event

Robert Horton 1990-1992 Horton became chairman ​and chief executive in March 1990 and ‌left

in 1992.

David Simon 1992–1995 Simon succeeded ⁠Horton as chief executive in 1992 and served

until 1995.

John Browne 1995–2007 Browne was appointed chief executive in 1995 and oversaw BP’s

transformation ​into a global energy major, including the

acquisitions of Amoco and ARCO. He stepped down in 2007.

Tony Hayward 2007–2010 Hayward succeeded Browne in May 2007. His tenure ended after the

2010 ​Deepwater Horizon ‍disaster.

Bob Dudley 2010–2020 Dudley took ​over in October 2010, becoming the first American to

lead BP.

Bernard Looney 2020–2023 Looney became chief executive in February 2020, pledging to cut

oil and gas output and shift BP toward low-carbon energy. He

resigned in September 2023.

Murray Auchincloss 2023–2025 Auchincloss was named interim chief executive ⁠in September 2023

and confirmed as permanent CEO in January 2024. During his

tenure, BP recommitted ​to oil and gas production.

Meg O’Neill  From April Meg O’Neill is named as next CEO. BP's executive vice president,

1, 2026 Carol Howle, will serve as interim CEO until ‌O'Neill assumes the

position. O'Neill was previously the CEO of Woodside Energy.

(Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed)

Key Takeaways

  • BP has seen several leadership changes since 1990.
  • Meg O'Neill is appointed as the new CEO effective April 2026.
  • Murray Auchincloss served as interim CEO in 2023.
  • Bernard Looney led BP's shift towards low-carbon energy.
  • Bob Dudley was the first American CEO of BP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. It encompasses the relationships among the stakeholders and the goals for which the corporation is governed.
What is an acquisition?
An acquisition is a corporate action in which one company purchases most or all of another company's shares to gain control of that company. Acquisitions can help companies expand their market reach or diversify their product offerings.
What is a timeline in business?
A timeline in business is a graphical representation of a sequence of events, showing the order in which they occurred. It helps stakeholders understand the history and development of a company or project over time.
What is low-carbon energy?
Low-carbon energy refers to energy sources that produce little or no carbon dioxide emissions during their production or use. This includes renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

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