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| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1970}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1970}}
| birth_place = Canada
| birth_place = Canada
| nationality = {{flagicon|Canada}} Canadian<br>{{flagicon|UK}} British
| nationality = Canadian<br>British
| citizenship = Canada, United Kingdom
| citizenship = Canada, United Kingdom
| education = [[University of Calgary]] (BCom)<br>[[University of West Virginia]] (CFA)
| education = [[University of Calgary]] (BCom)<br>[[University of West Virginia]] (CFA)
| occupation = Business executive
| occupation = Business executive
| years_active = 1992–present
| years_active = 1992-present
| known_for = CEO of [[BP]]
| known_for = CEO of [[BP]]
| title = Chief Executive Officer, BP
| title = Chief Executive Officer, BP
| boards = BP plc<br>Aker BP ASA
| boards = BP plc<br>Aker BP ASA
| spouse = (BP employee, name undisclosed)
| spouse = (BP employee, name undisclosed)
| net_worth = Estimated million (2025)
| children = 1
| children = 1
| compensation = £8 million ($10 million, 2023)
| compensation = £8 million ($10 million, 2023)
}}
}}


'''Murray Michael Auchincloss''' (born circa 1970) is a Canadian-British business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of BP plc, the British multinational oil and gas company, since January 2024. He previously served as interim CEO from September 2023, following the sudden departure of Bernard Looney, and as BP's Chief Financial Officer from 2020 to 2023.
'''Murray Michael Auchincloss''' (born circa 1970) is a Canadian-British business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of BP plc, the British multinational oil and gas company, since January 2024.<ref name="ceo-appointment">{{cite news |title=BP Confirms Murray Auchincloss as Permanent CEO |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bp-auchincloss-ceo |publisher=Financial Times |date=January 2024 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> He previously served as interim CEO from September 2023, following the sudden departure of Bernard Looney, and as BP's Chief Financial Officer from 2020 to 2023.<ref name="cfo-background">{{cite news |title=From CFO to CEO: Auchincloss Takes BP's Top Job |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bp-auchincloss |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Auchincloss represents the fourth generation of his family to work in the energy industry, having joined Amoco in 1992 and transitioned to BP when the two companies merged in 1998. In February 2025, he announced a significant strategic shift, scaling back BP's renewable energy investments to prioritize oil and gas production—a reversal of the company's previous "net zero" positioning.
Auchincloss represents the fourth generation of his family to work in the energy industry, having joined Amoco in 1992 and transitioned to BP when the two companies merged in 1998.<ref name="family-energy">{{cite news |title=Fourth-Generation Oilman Takes BP Helm |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/bp-auchincloss-family |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> In February 2025, he announced a significant strategic shift, scaling back BP's renewable energy investments to prioritize oil and gas production - a reversal of the company's previous "net zero" positioning.<ref name="strategy-shift">{{cite news |title=BP Scales Back Renewables, Boosts Oil and Gas |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bp-strategy-shift |publisher=Reuters |date=February 2025 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


== Early life and education ==
==Early Life and Education==
Murray Auchincloss was born in Canada around 1970.<ref name="background">{{cite web |title=Murray Auchincloss Biography |url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/who-we-are/board-and-executive-management/murray-auchincloss.html |publisher=BP |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> He earned a degree in commerce from the University of Calgary in Canada and later qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) through studies at the University of West Virginia in the United States.<ref name="education">{{cite web |title=Murray Auchincloss Profile |url=https://www.inclusivecapitalism.com/member/murray-auchincloss/ |publisher=Council for Inclusive Capitalism |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Murray Auchincloss was born in Canada around 1970. He earned a degree in commerce from the University of Calgary in Canada. He later qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) through studies at the University of West Virginia in the United States.
Auchincloss comes from a family with deep roots in the energy sector - he is the fourth generation of his family to work in oil and gas.<ref name="family-energy"/>


Auchincloss comes from a family with deep roots in the energy sector—he is the fourth generation of his family to work in oil and gas.
==Career==


== Career ==
===Amoco and BP (1992-2020)===
 
Auchincloss joined Amoco in 1992 immediately after completing his education.<ref name="career-start">{{cite news |title=Auchincloss's Three-Decade Energy Career |url=https://www.ft.com/content/auchincloss-career |publisher=Financial Times |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> When Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 to form BP, he continued his career with the combined company.
=== Amoco and BP (1992–2020) ===
 
Auchincloss joined Amoco in 1992 immediately after completing his education. When Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 to form BP, he continued his career with the combined company.


Over the following decades, he held senior roles in finance and management across tax, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and performance management. His career included periods as:
Over the following decades, he held senior roles in finance and management across tax, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and performance management. His career included periods as:
* Commercial director for BP's Onshore North America business
* Commercial director for BP's Onshore North America business
* CFO for BP's North Sea business
* CFO for BP's North Sea business
* Chief of staff to the BP CEO (2010–2013)
* Chief of staff to the BP CEO (2010-2013)<ref name="career-roles">{{cite news |title=Auchincloss's Path Through BP |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/auchincloss |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
 
Following these financial and planning roles in Canada and the United States, Auchincloss developed broad expertise across BP's upstream operations.
 
=== Chief Financial Officer (2020–2023) ===
 
In July 2020, Auchincloss was appointed Chief Financial Officer of BP, succeeding Brian Gilvary. In this role, he oversaw the company's finances during a tumultuous period that included the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on oil demand and BP's pivot toward renewable energy under then-CEO Bernard Looney.
 
=== CEO tenure (2024–present) ===
 
In September 2023, Bernard Looney suddenly resigned as BP CEO after admitting he had not been "fully transparent" about personal relationships with colleagues. Auchincloss was immediately appointed interim CEO.


In January 2024, BP's board confirmed Auchincloss as permanent CEO. He has stated his goal is to more than double BP's market value to $200 billion.
===Chief Financial Officer (2020-2023)===
In July 2020, Auchincloss was appointed Chief Financial Officer of BP, succeeding Brian Gilvary.<ref name="cfo">{{cite news |title=BP Names Murray Auchincloss as CFO |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bp-cfo |publisher=Reuters |date=July 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> In this role, he oversaw the company's finances during a tumultuous period that included the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on oil demand and BP's pivot toward renewable energy under then-CEO Bernard Looney.<ref name="cfo-tenure">{{cite news |title=Auchincloss Navigates BP Through Pandemic |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bp-cfo-pandemic |publisher=Financial Times |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


==== Strategic pivot to fossil fuels ====
===CEO Tenure (2024-present)===
In September 2023, Bernard Looney suddenly resigned as BP CEO after admitting he had not been "fully transparent" about personal relationships with colleagues.<ref name="looney-resignation">{{cite news |title=BP CEO Bernard Looney Resigns Over Undisclosed Relationships |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bp-looney-resignation |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=September 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> Auchincloss was immediately appointed interim CEO. In January 2024, BP's board confirmed Auchincloss as permanent CEO.<ref name="ceo-appointment"/>


On February 26, 2025, Auchincloss announced a major strategic shift for BP: the company would scale back its renewable energy investments and prioritize oil and gas production. The plan includes:
He has stated his goal is to more than double BP's market value to $200 billion.<ref name="market-value-goal">{{cite news |title=BP CEO Targets $200B Market Cap |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/bp-auchincloss-target |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


====Strategic Pivot to Fossil Fuels====
On February 26, 2025, Auchincloss announced a major strategic shift for BP: the company would scale back its renewable energy investments and prioritize oil and gas production.<ref name="strategy-shift"/> The plan includes:
* Increasing annual fossil fuel investments by 20% to $10 billion
* Increasing annual fossil fuel investments by 20% to $10 billion
* Cutting renewable energy funding by over $5 billion
* Cutting renewable energy funding by over $5 billion
* Focusing on returns and shareholder value over energy transition goals
* Focusing on returns and shareholder value over energy transition goals<ref name="strategy-details">{{cite news |title=Inside BP's Strategy Reversal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bp-strategy-reversal |publisher=Financial Times |date=February 2025 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
 
The announcement marked a significant departure from the ambitious "net zero" targets set by Auchincloss's predecessor, reflecting broader industry skepticism about the pace of energy transition.
 
== Personal life ==
 
Prior to becoming CFO in 2020, Auchincloss disclosed that he was in a relationship with a BP employee. A BP spokeswoman confirmed that the relationship did not represent a breach of the company's code of conduct and had been "fully and appropriately disclosed" to the group.
 
Auchincloss and his partner have one child together.
 
== Controversies ==
 
=== Succession circumstances ===
 
Auchincloss's elevation to CEO came under unusual circumstances. His predecessor, Bernard Looney, resigned suddenly in September 2023 after admitting he had misled the company about the extent of his personal relationships with colleagues. The abrupt leadership transition raised questions about BP's governance and created uncertainty about the company's strategic direction.
 
=== Reversal on climate commitments ===


BP's February 2025 announcement that it would significantly reduce renewable energy investments and increase fossil fuel spending was criticized by environmental groups as a retreat from climate commitments. Critics argued that the company was abandoning its positioning as a leader in the energy transition in favor of short-term shareholder returns.
The announcement marked a significant departure from the ambitious "net zero" targets set by Auchincloss's predecessor, reflecting broader industry skepticism about the pace of energy transition.<ref name="net-zero-reversal">{{cite news |title=BP Abandons Aggressive Net Zero Targets |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bp-net-zero |publisher=Reuters |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Supporters of the strategy shift argued that it reflected realistic assessments of energy transition timelines and the need to maintain profitability during the transition period.
==Personal Life==
Prior to becoming CFO in 2020, Auchincloss disclosed that he was in a relationship with a BP employee. A BP spokeswoman confirmed that the relationship did not represent a breach of the company's code of conduct and had been "fully and appropriately disclosed" to the group.<ref name="relationship-disclosure">{{cite news |title=BP CFO Disclosed Relationship Before Promotion |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bp-auchincloss-disclosure |publisher=Financial Times |date=2020 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


=== Executive compensation ===
Auchincloss and his partner have one child together.<ref name="family">{{cite news |title=BP CEO Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/auchincloss |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Auchincloss's compensation has drawn attention given BP's prominent position in debates over energy company profits:
==Compensation==
Auchincloss's 2023 compensation totaled £8 million ($10 million), including:<ref name="compensation">{{cite web |title=BP Annual Report 2023 |url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/investors/annual-report.html |publisher=BP |date=2024 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
* Base salary: £1.02 million
* Bonus: £1.8 million
* Share-based rewards: £4.6 million
* Other benefits


* '''2023 compensation''': £8 million ($10 million), including:
This made him one of the highest-paid executives in the United Kingdom.<ref name="uk-pay">{{cite news |title=Auchincloss Among UK's Top-Paid Executives |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/bp-pay |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
** Base salary: £1.02 million
** Bonus: £1.8 million
** Share-based rewards: £4.6 million
** Other benefits


This made him one of the highest-paid executives in the United Kingdom.
==Controversies==


== Board memberships ==
===Succession Circumstances===
Auchincloss's elevation to CEO came under unusual circumstances. His predecessor, Bernard Looney, resigned suddenly in September 2023 after admitting he had misled the company about the extent of his personal relationships with colleagues.<ref name="looney-resignation"/> The abrupt leadership transition raised questions about BP's governance and created uncertainty about the company's strategic direction.<ref name="governance-questions">{{cite news |title=Questions Over BP Governance After Looney Exit |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bp-governance |publisher=Financial Times |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


* BP plc – Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
===Reversal on Climate Commitments===
* Aker BP ASA (Norway) – Board of Directors
BP's February 2025 announcement that it would significantly reduce renewable energy investments and increase fossil fuel spending was criticized by environmental groups as a retreat from climate commitments.<ref name="climate-criticism">{{cite news |title=Environmental Groups Slam BP Climate Reversal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/bp-climate |publisher=The Guardian |date=February 2025 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> Critics argued that the company was abandoning its positioning as a leader in the energy transition in favor of short-term shareholder returns.


== References ==
Supporters of the strategy shift argued that it reflected realistic assessments of energy transition timelines and the need to maintain profitability during the transition period.<ref name="strategy-defense">{{cite news |title=BP Defends Strategy Shift |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bp-defends-strategy |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


{{Reflist}}
==Board Memberships==
* BP plc - Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
* Aker BP ASA (Norway) - Board of Directors<ref name="boards">{{cite web |title=Murray Auchincloss Positions |url=https://www.bp.com/leadership |publisher=BP |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


* {{cite web|url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/who-we-are/board-and-executive-management/the-board/murray-auchincloss.html|title=Murray Auchincloss|publisher=BP|access-date=November 29, 2025}}
==References==
* {{cite web|url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/murray-auchincloss-appointed-bp-chief-executive-officer.html|title=Murray Auchincloss appointed bp chief executive officer|publisher=BP|access-date=November 29, 2025}}
{{reflist}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.inclusivecapitalism.com/member/murray-auchincloss/|title=Murray Auchincloss|publisher=Council for Inclusive Capitalism|access-date=November 29, 2025}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.ceraweek.com/en/speakers/murray-auchincloss-1060-24433|title=Murray Auchincloss|publisher=CERAWeek|access-date=November 29, 2025}}


[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]

Latest revision as of 07:53, 22 December 2025

Template:Infobox person

Murray Michael Auchincloss (born circa 1970) is a Canadian-British business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of BP plc, the British multinational oil and gas company, since January 2024.[1] He previously served as interim CEO from September 2023, following the sudden departure of Bernard Looney, and as BP's Chief Financial Officer from 2020 to 2023.[2]

Auchincloss represents the fourth generation of his family to work in the energy industry, having joined Amoco in 1992 and transitioned to BP when the two companies merged in 1998.[3] In February 2025, he announced a significant strategic shift, scaling back BP's renewable energy investments to prioritize oil and gas production - a reversal of the company's previous "net zero" positioning.[4]

Early Life and Education

Murray Auchincloss was born in Canada around 1970.[5] He earned a degree in commerce from the University of Calgary in Canada and later qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) through studies at the University of West Virginia in the United States.[6]

Auchincloss comes from a family with deep roots in the energy sector - he is the fourth generation of his family to work in oil and gas.[3]

Career

Amoco and BP (1992-2020)

Auchincloss joined Amoco in 1992 immediately after completing his education.[7] When Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 to form BP, he continued his career with the combined company.

Over the following decades, he held senior roles in finance and management across tax, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and performance management. His career included periods as:

  • Commercial director for BP's Onshore North America business
  • CFO for BP's North Sea business
  • Chief of staff to the BP CEO (2010-2013)[8]

Chief Financial Officer (2020-2023)

In July 2020, Auchincloss was appointed Chief Financial Officer of BP, succeeding Brian Gilvary.[9] In this role, he oversaw the company's finances during a tumultuous period that included the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on oil demand and BP's pivot toward renewable energy under then-CEO Bernard Looney.[10]

CEO Tenure (2024-present)

In September 2023, Bernard Looney suddenly resigned as BP CEO after admitting he had not been "fully transparent" about personal relationships with colleagues.[11] Auchincloss was immediately appointed interim CEO. In January 2024, BP's board confirmed Auchincloss as permanent CEO.[1]

He has stated his goal is to more than double BP's market value to $200 billion.[12]

Strategic Pivot to Fossil Fuels

On February 26, 2025, Auchincloss announced a major strategic shift for BP: the company would scale back its renewable energy investments and prioritize oil and gas production.[4] The plan includes:

  • Increasing annual fossil fuel investments by 20% to $10 billion
  • Cutting renewable energy funding by over $5 billion
  • Focusing on returns and shareholder value over energy transition goals[13]

The announcement marked a significant departure from the ambitious "net zero" targets set by Auchincloss's predecessor, reflecting broader industry skepticism about the pace of energy transition.[14]

Personal Life

Prior to becoming CFO in 2020, Auchincloss disclosed that he was in a relationship with a BP employee. A BP spokeswoman confirmed that the relationship did not represent a breach of the company's code of conduct and had been "fully and appropriately disclosed" to the group.[15]

Auchincloss and his partner have one child together.[16]

Compensation

Auchincloss's 2023 compensation totaled £8 million ($10 million), including:[17]

  • Base salary: £1.02 million
  • Bonus: £1.8 million
  • Share-based rewards: £4.6 million
  • Other benefits

This made him one of the highest-paid executives in the United Kingdom.[18]

Controversies

Succession Circumstances

Auchincloss's elevation to CEO came under unusual circumstances. His predecessor, Bernard Looney, resigned suddenly in September 2023 after admitting he had misled the company about the extent of his personal relationships with colleagues.[11] The abrupt leadership transition raised questions about BP's governance and created uncertainty about the company's strategic direction.[19]

Reversal on Climate Commitments

BP's February 2025 announcement that it would significantly reduce renewable energy investments and increase fossil fuel spending was criticized by environmental groups as a retreat from climate commitments.[20] Critics argued that the company was abandoning its positioning as a leader in the energy transition in favor of short-term shareholder returns.

Supporters of the strategy shift argued that it reflected realistic assessments of energy transition timelines and the need to maintain profitability during the transition period.[21]

Board Memberships

  • BP plc - Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
  • Aker BP ASA (Norway) - Board of Directors[22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 <ref>"BP Confirms Murray Auchincloss as Permanent CEO".{Template:Newspaper.January 2024.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  2. ↑ <ref>"From CFO to CEO: Auchincloss Takes BP's Top Job".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 <ref>"Fourth-Generation Oilman Takes BP Helm".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 <ref>"BP Scales Back Renewables, Boosts Oil and Gas".{Template:Newspaper.February 2025.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  5. ↑ <ref>"Murray Auchincloss Biography".BP.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  6. ↑ <ref>"Murray Auchincloss Profile".Council for Inclusive Capitalism.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  7. ↑ <ref>"Auchincloss's Three-Decade Energy Career".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  8. ↑ <ref>"Auchincloss's Path Through BP".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  9. ↑ <ref>"BP Names Murray Auchincloss as CFO".{Template:Newspaper.July 2020.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  10. ↑ <ref>"Auchincloss Navigates BP Through Pandemic".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 <ref>"BP CEO Bernard Looney Resigns Over Undisclosed Relationships".{Template:Newspaper.September 2023.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  12. ↑ <ref>"BP CEO Targets $200B Market Cap".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  13. ↑ <ref>"Inside BP's Strategy Reversal".{Template:Newspaper.February 2025.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  14. ↑ <ref>"BP Abandons Aggressive Net Zero Targets".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  15. ↑ <ref>"BP CFO Disclosed Relationship Before Promotion".{Template:Newspaper.2020.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  16. ↑ <ref>"BP CEO Profile".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  17. ↑ <ref>"BP Annual Report 2023".BP.2024.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  18. ↑ <ref>"Auchincloss Among UK's Top-Paid Executives".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  19. ↑ <ref>"Questions Over BP Governance After Looney Exit".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  20. ↑ <ref>"Environmental Groups Slam BP Climate Reversal".{Template:Newspaper.February 2025.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  21. ↑ <ref>"BP Defends Strategy Shift".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  22. ↑ <ref>"Murray Auchincloss Positions".BP.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
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