BP has announced the appointment of Simon Henry, former Chief Financial Officer of Shell, as a non-executive director to its board, effective September 1, 2025. This strategic move comes as BP intensifies its focus on traditional oil and gas operations, responding to investor pressures and shifting energy market dynamics.
Simon Henry brings over 35 years of experience in the energy sector, having held senior finance and management roles at Shell, including serving as CFO and board member from 2009 to 2017. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in Shell’s $54 billion acquisition of BG Group, significantly enhancing Shell’s position in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
In addition to his tenure at Shell, Henry has served on the boards of several major companies, including Lloyds Banking Group, PetroChina, and Harbour Energy. He is currently a non-executive director at Rio Tinto but is expected to step down from this role later this year.
BP’s Chairman, Helge Lund, expressed confidence in Henry’s appointment, stating, “The board will benefit from his deep and broad experience of the global upstream and downstream energy industry and his financial and commercial understanding of global markets, together with his extensive and varied board experience.”
This appointment is part of BP’s broader strategy to strengthen its leadership team with seasoned professionals from the oil and gas industry. Earlier this year, BP appointed Ian Tyler and U.S. oil executive Dave Hager as non-executive directors, signaling a clear intent to bolster its traditional energy expertise.
The leadership changes coincide with BP’s decision in February to scale back its green energy initiatives, a move influenced by activist investor Elliott Management, which has built a significant stake in the company. Elliott has advocated for BP to emulate Shell’s strategy of cost-cutting and reduced investment in green energy to enhance shareholder returns.
Amid these strategic shifts, BP is also in the process of selecting a new chair to replace Helge Lund, who announced his intention to step down next year. The selection of a new chair is seen as critical to maintaining strategic direction and addressing shareholder concerns.
In a related development, BP announced that Pamela Daley, a non-executive director since 2018, has stepped down from the board for personal reasons, effective immediately. Lund acknowledged her contributions, stating, “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Pam for her outstanding service over the past seven years.”
As BP navigates this period of transformation, the addition of Simon Henry to its board underscores the company’s commitment to reinforcing its traditional energy operations and delivering value to shareholders.
