BP has appointed Simon Henry, former Chief Financial Officer of Shell, to its board of directors as a non-executive director, effective September 1, 2025. The move is part of the company’s broader efforts to strengthen its leadership and refocus its strategy on fossil fuel production amid mounting pressure from activist investors.
Henry brings over 30 years of experience in the energy sector. As Shell’s CFO from 2009 to 2017, he played a central role in the company’s $54 billion acquisition of BG Group, a deal that significantly expanded Shell’s liquefied natural gas business. Currently a board member at Rio Tinto and Harbour Energy, Henry will step down from both positions to fully commit to his new role at BP.
BP Chairman Helge Lund, who has announced plans to step down in 2026, praised Henry’s extensive financial and commercial expertise. Lund emphasized that Henry’s experience will be instrumental as BP continues navigating a complex global energy landscape and repositions itself to deliver shareholder value while balancing its energy transition commitments.
Henry’s appointment follows a series of recent leadership additions aimed at bolstering BP’s governance and industry expertise. In May, David Hager, former CEO of Devon Energy, joined the board as a non-executive director. Ian Tyler, former CEO of Balfour Beatty, was also appointed to head BP’s remuneration committee, signaling a renewed focus on executive accountability and performance incentives.
Meanwhile, Pamela Daley, who has served on the board since 2011, will step down for personal reasons, effective July 7, 2025. Her departure marks another key change in a year of governance shifts for the company.
The announcement came amid market volatility, with BP’s shares falling 2% following a separate update from Shell that revealed weaker gas trading performance due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. The market reaction underscores investor sensitivity to shifts within the energy sector, particularly as companies like BP recalibrate strategies in response to both environmental pressures and shareholder demands.
With Simon Henry’s appointment, BP aims to reinforce its board with deep industry experience and financial acumen, positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of global energy markets while addressing internal performance targets and external scrutiny.
