bp Deputy CEO Carol Howle to retire, company will not replace role

(WO) — bp Deputy CEO Carol Howle will retire later this year after a 26-year career with the company, as CEO Meg O'Neill continues efforts to streamline the energy major's leadership structure.

The company said it will not appoint a successor to the Deputy CEO position following Howle's departure in the third quarter. O'Neill said the decision reflects bp's ongoing organizational simplification and the company's focus on operating with a streamlined executive leadership team.

"Carol led the company through a critical transitional phase as interim and then Deputy CEO," O'Neill said. "With her departure I have chosen not to replace the Deputy CEO role. We have significant actions underway to streamline the organizational model and we have a focused leadership team in place."

Howle joined bp in 2000 and most recently served as Deputy CEO after previously holding the role on an interim basis.

The company also announced that Kerry Dryburgh, executive vice president of People, Culture & Communications, will leave bp later in the third quarter after 16 years with the company.

As part of the leadership changes, bp appointed Sam Skerry as executive vice president of Supply, Trading & Shipping and Sonya Adams as executive vice president of People & Culture. Both appointments take effect Aug. 1.

Skerry, who has nearly 30 years with bp, most recently served as senior vice president of Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Development after spending much of her career in oil, natural gas and derivatives trading. Adams has more than 25 years of experience with bp and most recently served as chief of staff to the CEO.

The appointments come as bp continues implementing organizational changes aimed at simplifying the business, reducing costs and improving operational performance.