Finance
BHP Australia boss in running to lead woodside, Bloomberg reports
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 8, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 8, 2026
Quick Summary
Geraldine Slattery, BHP’s President Australia and former head of its petroleum arm, is reportedly a contender for Woodside Energy’s next CEO, as the company looks to replace Meg O’Neill, who departs to lead BP in April 2026.
BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery Considered for Woodside CEO Position
Overview of Woodside CEO Succession and Geraldine Slattery's Candidacy
Background on the CEO Transition at Woodside
PERTH/MELBOURNE, March 8 (Reuters) - Global miner BHP’s Australia President Geraldine Slattery is among the contenders for the top job at Woodside Energy, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the situation.
Woodside is expected to name a replacement for Meg O’Neill soon, after she unexpectedly left the company in December to lead BP, a role she formally begins in April.
Woodside's Official Statement
“As has been disclosed, Woodside’s Board intends to announce a permanent CEO appointment in the first quarter of 2026. We do not comment on market speculation,” a Woodside spokeswoman said, when asked whether Slattery had been formally interviewed for the role.
Other Potential Candidates
Acting CEO Liz Westcott and two other internal candidates are also in the running for the CEO job, said MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic.
Geraldine Slattery's Background and Industry Response
BHP and Slattery's Previous Roles
BHP declined to comment and Slattery did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing.
Slattery headed BHP's petroleum division before it was acquired by Woodside.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Helen Clark and Melanie Burton; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Key Takeaways
- •Geraldine Slattery’s extensive global leadership and her past role overseeing BHP’s Petroleum business make her a high-profile external candidate for Woodside’s top job (bhp.com).
- •Woodside’s Board aims to name a permanent CEO in Q1 2026, with internal acting CEO Liz Westcott also in the running (investing.com).
- •Slattery’s recent appointment to the Business Council of Australia Board underscores her influence and visibility in Australia’s corporate leadership landscape (bca.com.au).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about BHP Australia boss in running to lead Woodside, Bloomberg reports
1Who is in the running for the CEO position at Woodside Energy?
BHP's Australia President Geraldine Slattery, acting CEO Liz Westcott, and two other internal candidates are contenders for the top job at Woodside Energy.
2Why is Woodside Energy searching for a new CEO?
Woodside is seeking a new CEO after Meg O’Neill unexpectedly left the company in December to lead BP.
3When is Woodside expected to announce a permanent CEO?
Woodside’s Board intends to announce a permanent CEO appointment in the first quarter of 2026.
4Did Woodside or Geraldine Slattery confirm her candidacy?
Woodside did not comment on market speculation, and Geraldine Slattery did not respond to a request for comment.
5What role did Geraldine Slattery have before being considered for Woodside CEO?
Geraldine Slattery was the head of BHP's petroleum division before its acquisition by Woodside.
