BP has named Helge Lund, who is a former head of Norway’s Statoil (STO), as its next chairman.
Lund, who also led BG Group during its acquisition by rival Royal Dutch Shell (RYDAF), will replace Carl-Henric Svanberg, who was the chairman of BP for almost nine years. Lunds new appointment will begin at the start of next year.
The 55-year-old Lund steered Statoil through its transformation from a state oil company into a leading global player, and is likely to have to navigate BP through the succession of its veteran CEO Bob Dudley later this decade.
Lund will join BP’s board as chairman designate and a non-executive director on Sept. 1 and will become chairman on Jan 1, 2019.
“Our industry is changing faster than ever as the world focuses on meeting the dual challenge of more energy with fewer emissions … Helge has a track record of leadership in addressing these issues,” Svanberg said in a statement.
Pictured: Mr. Helge Lund; Photo courtesy of BP