BP Appoints Meg O'Neill as New CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
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.
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Analyst Views on BP
Wall Street analysts forecast BP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BP is 84.26 USD with a low forecast of 6.38 USD and a high forecast of 503.69 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 38.040
Low
6.38
Averages
84.26
High
503.69
Current: 38.040
Low
6.38
Averages
84.26
High
503.69
About BP
BP p.l.c. is a United Kingdom-based integrated energy company. The Company's segments include Gas & low carbon energy, Oil production & operations, Customers & products, and Other businesses & corporate. Its gas business includes regions with upstream activities that produce natural gas, integrated gas and power, and gas trading. Its low carbon business includes solar, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage and power trading. Oil production & operations segment comprises regions with upstream activities that predominantly produce crude oil, including bpx energy. Customers & products segment comprises its customer-focused businesses, which include convenience and retail fuels, electric vehicle charging, as well as Castrol, aviation and business to business and midstream. It also includes its products businesses, refining and oil trading, as well as its bioenergy businesses. Other businesses & corporate segment comprises technology and bp ventures.
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.
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