BP's new upstream unit to be led by Gordon Birrell, downstream by Richard Harding
BP Announces Leadership and Structural Changes
June 9 (Reuters) - BP said on Tuesday that company veteran Gordon Birrell would lead its upstream unit and Richard Harding will be interim head of the downstream unit as part of the firm's previously announced organisational change into two main business segments.
Background and Recent Developments
BP, which fired its former chairman Albert Manifold last month over bullying allegations, is vying to rebuild investor trust by cutting costs and debt while refocusing on its core oil and gas businesses.
Details of the Organisational Change
Upstream Unit Overview
Following a classic integrated oil and gas company structure, upstream will bring together BP's oil and gas activities, including exploration, development and production as well as its upstream joint ventures and its renewable natural gas and carbon capture businesses.
Downstream Unit Overview
Downstream will include refining, terminals, pipelines, mobility and convenience, biofuels, aviation, hydrogen and its Castrol lubricants brand.
Implementation Timeline
Operational and External Reporting Dates
For operational purposes, the new structure will take effect from July 1, while for external purposes such as financial reporting, it will do so from January 1, 2027.
Leadership Profiles
Gordon Birrell
Experience and Previous Roles
Birrell had been in charge of BP's production and operations business, after many other leading roles at the group.
Richard Harding
Succession and Interim Appointment
Harding replaced Emma Delaney, BP's former customers and products business chief, who left BP in April.
(Reporting by Shadia Nasralla in London, Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar, Kirsten Donovan)
