BP has appointed Emma Lewis as its new Executive Vice President of Downstream and a member of its leadership team, strengthening its senior management with an experienced energy industry executive.
Lewis will take up the position on 4 January 2027, succeeding Richard Harding, who will continue serving as interim Executive Vice President of Downstream until her arrival.
She joins BP from Shell, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Chemicals. In that role, she led the company’s global chemicals business, overseeing operations, commercial activities, polymers interests and joint ventures.
Lewis brings more than 25 years of international experience across chemicals, refining, manufacturing, commercial operations, supply chains and strategy. Before joining Shell in 2012, she spent around 13 years at ExxonMobil, taking on roles in the UK, Belgium and the United States. She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Leeds.
At BP, the Downstream business covers refining, terminals and pipelines, mobility and convenience, aviation and bioenergy. The appointment comes as the company continues to reshape its business structure and focus on operational performance.
BP Chief Executive Officer Meg O’Neill welcomed the appointment, highlighting Lewis’s operational and commercial experience, as well as her record of improving business performance and leading organisational change.
Lewis said she looked forward to joining BP and working with the team to strengthen performance, maintain safe and reliable operations and deliver sustained value.
Her appointment marks a significant leadership move for BP as it continues to position its downstream operations for the next phase of its business strategy.
