BP appoints former BG and Statoil boss Helge Lund as new chairman

Oil giant BP has appointed former BG Group and Statoil boss Helge Lund as its new chairman, succeeding Carl-Henric Svanberg, with effect from 1 January 2019.

Lund was chief executive of BG from 2015 to 2016, when it merged with Shell. He jointed BG from Statoil, where he was president and CEO for 10 years from 2004. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of industrial conglomerate Aker Kvaerner and also held executive positions at Norwegian industrial holding company Aker RGI and Hafslund Nycomed, an industrial group with business activities in pharmaceuticals and energy.

Lund, who is also chairman of Novo Nordisk in Denmark, will stand down with immediate effect from his directorship at oil service group Schlumberger.

Chief executive Bob Dudley said: "Carl-Henric has steadily led our board through BP's darkest days and into this period of growth and modernisation. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his strong support and clear vision over the past nine years.

"I have known Helge for more than a decade and I am very much looking forward to working with him. With strategic vision and a modern, global perspective, he has a clear understanding of the challenges and the opportunities facing our industry.

"I am confident Helge, with the rest of the board, will provide the company with good governance and strategic guidance as we continue to grow and adapt through the energy transition."

Meanwhile, Svanberg said: "Helge has a track record of leadership in addressing these issues, characterised by his open-minded and forward-looking approach. Together with his deep industry knowledge and global business experience, he has all the skills necessary to lead the board today and into the future."