BP Appoints Meg O'Neill as New CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
BP (BP) announces that the bp Board has appointed Meg O'Neill as bp's CEO, effective 1 April 2026. Murray Auchincloss has decided to step down from his position as CEO and director of the Board, effective Thursday, 18 December. Carol Howle, current executive vice president, supply, trading & shipping of bp, will serve as interim CEO until Meg joins as CEO. Murray will serve in an advisory role until December 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. O'Neill currently serves as CEO of Woodside Energy (WDS). Murray Auchincloss said: "After more than three decades with bp, now is the right time to hand the reins to a new leader. When Albert became Chair, I expressed my openness to step down were an appropriate leader identified who could accelerate delivery of bp's strategy. I am confident that bp is now well positioned for significant growth and I look forward to watching the company's future progress and success under Meg's leadership." The appointment of Meg O'Neill follows a search process overseen by a search committee of the Board, assisted by an independent recruitment firm, as part of the Board's long-term succession planning.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BP?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BP
Wall Street analysts forecast BP stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 47.350
Low
6.38
Averages
84.26
High
503.69
Current: 47.350
Low
6.38
Averages
84.26
High
503.69
About BP
BP p.l.c. is a United Kingdom-based integrated energy company. Its segments include Gas & low carbon energy, Oil production & operations, Customers & products, and Other businesses & corporate. The gas & low carbon energy comprises regions with upstream businesses that predominantly produce natural gas, gas marketing and trading activities and its solar, wind and hydrogen businesses. The oil production & operations segment comprises regions with upstream activities that predominantly produce crude oil, including bpx energy. The customers & products segment comprises its customer-focused businesses, which include convenience and retail fuels, electric vehicle (EV) charging, as well as Castrol, aviation and business-to-business (B2B) and midstream. It also includes its products businesses, refining and oil trading, as well as its bioenergy businesses. The other businesses and corporate also comprises the Company's shipping and treasury functions, and corporate activities worldwide.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
European Stocks Rebound Strongly; Vestas Secures Major Orders
- Market Rebound: European stocks are set to open the new trading month with a strong rebound after recording their worst month since 2022 in March, with Stoxx 50 futures up by 2%, indicating a recovery in investor confidence.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Global benchmark Brent crude oil prices fell by 0.4% to around $103.82 per barrel following President Trump's announcement of U.S. troop withdrawal from Iran in two to three weeks, as markets digest the implications of this news.
- Vestas Order Growth: Danish wind energy developer Vestas announced it secured a 135-megawatt order in the U.S. and a 90-megawatt order in the U.K., reflecting strong demand in the wind energy sector, with total first-quarter orders reaching 4.2 gigawatts.
- Nike Sales Warning: Nike's shares listed in Frankfurt sharply declined after the retailer warned of a 20% expected drop in sales in its key China market, indicating ongoing challenges in the retail environment for the remainder of the year.
See More
Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions
- Oil Price Surge: Brent crude for June delivery rose 1.5% to $105.56 per barrel, with March prices soaring over 60%, marking the largest monthly rally since 1988, indicating market sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions.
- Strong U.S. Crude Performance: U.S. crude for May also increased by 1.5% to $102.92 per barrel, with a 51% rise in March, representing the best performance since May 2020, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: Iranian drones targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, causing a massive fire and exacerbating global economic fears over reliance on Middle Eastern oil, especially with shipments through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted.
- Trump's Withdrawal Statement: Trump indicated that U.S. forces are expected to leave Iran in two to three weeks, dismissing the need for a negotiated deal to end the conflict, which could lead to further oil price volatility and impact global market stability.
See More
South Korea Proposes ₩26.2 Trillion Budget to Address Energy Crisis
- Budget Proposal: The South Korean government has proposed a supplementary budget of ₩26.2 trillion (approximately $17.1 billion) to address rising energy prices due to the Middle East conflict, aiming to alleviate economic pressure on households and industries.
- Key Measures: Of this, ₩10.1 trillion will be specifically allocated to ease high oil prices, alongside support for exporters and increased grants to local governments, all aimed at fostering economic recovery.
- Need for Fiscal Support: Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-geun emphasized the necessity of swift fiscal support to alleviate hardships faced by citizens, ensuring that the momentum of economic recovery is not lost.
- Funding Sources: The budget will be financed through tax revenues from booming chip exports and a rally in the stock market, with expectations for parliamentary approval by April 10, reflecting the government's strong commitment to economic stability.
See More
BP's EV Charging Division Loses Head Again Amid Investment Cuts
- Executive Turnover: BP's electric vehicle charging division has lost its head for the second time in a year, with Martin Thomsen joining Rolls-Royce this month, indicating instability in the company's energy transition strategy that could impact future direction.
- Investment Reduction Trend: Ahead of the new CEO's arrival, BP is scaling back investments in clean energy businesses, having shut down the team responsible for electric, hydrogen, and other low-emission vehicle solutions last year, reflecting a cautious approach to future market dynamics.
- Charging Network Goals: BP Pulse focuses on EV charging in the UK, US, Germany, and China, aiming for 100,000 public charging points by 2030; despite selling over 1.5 TWh of energy last year, a record high, the strategic shift may hinder achieving this target.
- Leadership Change Impact: With Meg O'Neill set to take over as CEO, the leadership transition at BP may lead to a shift in strategic focus within the EV charging sector, potentially affecting its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
See More
Trump's Intent to Seize Iran's Oil Market Raises Concerns
- Cautious Market Reaction: Trump's declaration of wanting to 'take Iran's oil' while suggesting a 'peace deal could be made fairly quickly' has left markets feeling uneasy, leading investors to adopt a risk-averse stance as Asia-Pacific markets fell sharply on Monday.
- Military Deployment Escalation: The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, with thousands of American soldiers and Marines arriving in the Middle East, raising concerns about an escalation in the Iran conflict that could disrupt global supply chains and increase prices.
- Rising Oil Price Pressure: Oil prices are climbing again as the conflict intensifies, particularly after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles at Israel, heightening fears over energy supply disruptions that could impact the global economy.
- Shipping Route Risks: The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, is being impeded by the ongoing war, with industry leaders warning that if it does not reopen by mid-April, supply disruptions could worsen significantly, affecting operations across various sectors.
See More
Middle East Tensions Escalate, Oil Prices Surge
- U.S. Troop Increase: President Trump indicated the possibility of deploying ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, with 3,500 U.S. troops already in the region, signaling an escalation in military presence that could heighten tensions and impact global energy markets.
- Surging Oil Prices: Brent crude futures rose 2.92% to $115.86 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures increased by 3.20% to $102.80 per barrel, reflecting market concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East that could lead to higher energy costs.
- Infrastructure Attacks: An attack on a power generation and desalination plant in Kuwait resulted in the death of an Indian worker, highlighting the threat posed by Iranian aggression to critical infrastructure, which could disrupt water and electricity supplies and escalate regional conflict.
- Houthi Forces Involvement: The Houthi forces from Yemen launched ballistic missiles targeting Israel, further intensifying regional tensions and indicating a broader conflict that could have significant implications for global markets.
See More
European Stocks Rebound Strongly; Vestas Secures Major Orders
- Market Rebound: European stocks are set to open the new trading month with a strong rebound after recording their worst month since 2022 in March, with Stoxx 50 futures up by 2%, indicating a recovery in investor confidence.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: Global benchmark Brent crude oil prices fell by 0.4% to around $103.82 per barrel following President Trump's announcement of U.S. troop withdrawal from Iran in two to three weeks, as markets digest the implications of this news.
- Vestas Order Growth: Danish wind energy developer Vestas announced it secured a 135-megawatt order in the U.S. and a 90-megawatt order in the U.K., reflecting strong demand in the wind energy sector, with total first-quarter orders reaching 4.2 gigawatts.
- Nike Sales Warning: Nike's shares listed in Frankfurt sharply declined after the retailer warned of a 20% expected drop in sales in its key China market, indicating ongoing challenges in the retail environment for the remainder of the year.
See More
Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions
- Oil Price Surge: Brent crude for June delivery rose 1.5% to $105.56 per barrel, with March prices soaring over 60%, marking the largest monthly rally since 1988, indicating market sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions.
- Strong U.S. Crude Performance: U.S. crude for May also increased by 1.5% to $102.92 per barrel, with a 51% rise in March, representing the best performance since May 2020, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: Iranian drones targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, causing a massive fire and exacerbating global economic fears over reliance on Middle Eastern oil, especially with shipments through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted.
- Trump's Withdrawal Statement: Trump indicated that U.S. forces are expected to leave Iran in two to three weeks, dismissing the need for a negotiated deal to end the conflict, which could lead to further oil price volatility and impact global market stability.
See More
South Korea Proposes ₩26.2 Trillion Budget to Address Energy Crisis
- Budget Proposal: The South Korean government has proposed a supplementary budget of ₩26.2 trillion (approximately $17.1 billion) to address rising energy prices due to the Middle East conflict, aiming to alleviate economic pressure on households and industries.
- Key Measures: Of this, ₩10.1 trillion will be specifically allocated to ease high oil prices, alongside support for exporters and increased grants to local governments, all aimed at fostering economic recovery.
- Need for Fiscal Support: Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-geun emphasized the necessity of swift fiscal support to alleviate hardships faced by citizens, ensuring that the momentum of economic recovery is not lost.
- Funding Sources: The budget will be financed through tax revenues from booming chip exports and a rally in the stock market, with expectations for parliamentary approval by April 10, reflecting the government's strong commitment to economic stability.
See More
BP's EV Charging Division Loses Head Again Amid Investment Cuts
- Executive Turnover: BP's electric vehicle charging division has lost its head for the second time in a year, with Martin Thomsen joining Rolls-Royce this month, indicating instability in the company's energy transition strategy that could impact future direction.
- Investment Reduction Trend: Ahead of the new CEO's arrival, BP is scaling back investments in clean energy businesses, having shut down the team responsible for electric, hydrogen, and other low-emission vehicle solutions last year, reflecting a cautious approach to future market dynamics.
- Charging Network Goals: BP Pulse focuses on EV charging in the UK, US, Germany, and China, aiming for 100,000 public charging points by 2030; despite selling over 1.5 TWh of energy last year, a record high, the strategic shift may hinder achieving this target.
- Leadership Change Impact: With Meg O'Neill set to take over as CEO, the leadership transition at BP may lead to a shift in strategic focus within the EV charging sector, potentially affecting its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
See More
Trump's Intent to Seize Iran's Oil Market Raises Concerns
- Cautious Market Reaction: Trump's declaration of wanting to 'take Iran's oil' while suggesting a 'peace deal could be made fairly quickly' has left markets feeling uneasy, leading investors to adopt a risk-averse stance as Asia-Pacific markets fell sharply on Monday.
- Military Deployment Escalation: The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, with thousands of American soldiers and Marines arriving in the Middle East, raising concerns about an escalation in the Iran conflict that could disrupt global supply chains and increase prices.
- Rising Oil Price Pressure: Oil prices are climbing again as the conflict intensifies, particularly after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles at Israel, heightening fears over energy supply disruptions that could impact the global economy.
- Shipping Route Risks: The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, is being impeded by the ongoing war, with industry leaders warning that if it does not reopen by mid-April, supply disruptions could worsen significantly, affecting operations across various sectors.
See More
Middle East Tensions Escalate, Oil Prices Surge
- U.S. Troop Increase: President Trump indicated the possibility of deploying ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, with 3,500 U.S. troops already in the region, signaling an escalation in military presence that could heighten tensions and impact global energy markets.
- Surging Oil Prices: Brent crude futures rose 2.92% to $115.86 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures increased by 3.20% to $102.80 per barrel, reflecting market concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East that could lead to higher energy costs.
- Infrastructure Attacks: An attack on a power generation and desalination plant in Kuwait resulted in the death of an Indian worker, highlighting the threat posed by Iranian aggression to critical infrastructure, which could disrupt water and electricity supplies and escalate regional conflict.
- Houthi Forces Involvement: The Houthi forces from Yemen launched ballistic missiles targeting Israel, further intensifying regional tensions and indicating a broader conflict that could have significant implications for global markets.
See More
