The Board of BP board members have announced that Bob Dudley, 64, has decided to step down as group chief executive and from the BP Board. Dudley has had a 40-year career with BP and spent over nine years as group chief executive. Dudley will step down following delivery of the company’s 2019 full year results on February 4th, 2020 and will retire on March 31st, 2020.
The Board has also announced that Bernard Looney, 49, currently chief executive, Upstream, will succeed Bob Dudley as group chief executive and join the BP Board on February 5th, 2020.
BP Chairman Helge Lund said: “Bob has dedicated his whole career to the service of this industry. He was appointed chief executive at probably the most challenging time in BP’s history. During his tenure he has led the recovery from the Deepwater Horizon accident, rebuilt BP as a stronger, safer company and helped it re-earn its position as one of the leaders of the energy sector.”
On Looney’s appointment, Lund added: “Bernard has all the right qualities to lead us through this transformational era. He has deep experience in the energy sector and has consistently delivered strong safety, operational and financial performance. He is an authentic, progressive leader, with a passion for purpose and people and a clear sense of what BP must do to thrive through the energy transition.”
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