Egon Zehnder Assists BP with CEO Search
February 5, 2024 – Leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has assisted in the recruitment of Murray Auchincloss as the permanent CEO of BP. Mr. Auchincloss, who has been interim CEO since September 2023, will continue as a member of the BP board. His appointment has been made following a robust and competitive search process, carried out by the board over the past four months with support from Egon Zehnder. This included detailed consideration of a range of candidates, including external to BP. “Since September, BP’s board has undertaken a thorough and highly competitive process to identify BP’s next CEO, considering a number of high-caliber candidates in detail,” said Helge Lund, chair of BP. “The board is in complete agreement that Murray was the outstanding candidate and is the right leader for BP.”
“Many already know Murray well, and few know BP better than he does,” said Mr. Lund. “His assured leadership, focus on performance and delivery, and deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the energy transition will serve BP well as we continue our disciplined transformation to an integrated energy company.”
Before becoming interim CEO in September 2023, Mr. Auchincloss had been BP’s chief financial officer since July 2020, at which time he also joined the board. He had previously served as CFO, deputy CFO and head of business development for BP’s Upstream segment. From 2010-2013 Mr. Auchincloss was head of BP’s group chief executive’s office, working directly with Bob Dudley. He joined Amoco Canada in 1992. Following financial and planning roles in Canada and the U.S., his career included periods as commercial director for BP’s Onshore North America business and CFO for BP’s North Sea business.
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“It’s an honor to lead BP – this is a great company with great people,” said Mr. Auchincloss. “Our strategy – from international oil company to integrated energy company, or IOC to IEC – does not change. I’m convinced about the significant value we can create. Now, more than ever, our focus must remain on delivery – operating safely and efficiently, executing with discipline, and always focusing on returns. This is how we will deliver real benefits for our customers and other stakeholders and continue to grow long-term value for BP’s shareholders.”
Egon Zehnder Recruits CFO for the NFL
After an intensive executive search, leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder recently assisted in the recruitment of Christine Dorfler as the new chief financial officer of the National Football League. She replaces 31-year league veteran Joe Siclare, who served 11 years as CFO before taking on a more senior title in 2022.
Ms. Dorfler joins the NFL as league and team finances are reaching new heights due to media rights revenue increases, despite continuing concerns over economic headwinds in the tech and media sectors. Mr. Siclare will be expected to guide Ms. Dorfler, commissioner Roger Goodell wrote. According to sources, the NFL will “continue to benefit” from Mr. Siclare’s “extensive institutional knowledge and experience as he continues to play a critical role in providing support and guidance to Christine and the clubs for the foreseeable future.”
BP is a British multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London. It is one of the oil and gas “supermajors” and one of the world’s largest companies measured by revenues and profits. It is a vertically integrated company operating in all areas of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and extraction, refining, distribution and marketing, power generation, and trading. BP’s origins date back to the founding of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in 1909.
Top 5 Search Firm
Egon Zehnder currently ranks as a Top 5 global executive search firm, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. With more than 500 consultants in 68 offices and 40 countries around the globe, Egon Zehnder works with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide board advisory services, CEO and leadership succession planning, executive search and assessment, and leadership development solutions. Since 1964, the firm has been at the forefront of defining top leadership in the face of changing economic conditions as well as major transitions in the executive search field.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
