BP Taps Shell's Emma Lewis to Lead Downstream
Former Shell chemicals executive Emma Lewis will take over BP's downstream business when she joins in January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
BP has appointed Emma Lewis, formerly executive vice president of chemicals at Shell, to lead its downstream business. Richard Harding is serving as interim executive vice president until Lewis joins on January 4, 2027.
Why it matters
The hire comes from rival Shell as BP CEO Meg O'Neill seeks to strengthen the oil major's refining and fuels business. Shell is also in discussions on the sale of its chemical assets, the area Lewis previously led.
Lewis's appointment follows roughly 13 years at ExxonMobil and about 14 years at Shell, where she ran the global chemicals business. Terms of the role and the timing of any changes to Harding's interim responsibilities were not disclosed.
The players
Emma Lewis
Former Shell executive vice president of chemicals who previously spent about 13 years at ExxonMobil before joining Shell in 2012.
Meg O'Neill
Chief executive of BP who is pursuing a push to strengthen the company's refining and fuels business.
Richard Harding
BP executive serving as interim executive vice president of the downstream business until Lewis arrives.
Shell
Global energy company that is currently in discussions over the sale of its chemical assets.
The details
BP hired Emma Lewis from rival Shell, where she was executive vice president of chemicals and led the company's global chemicals business. Lewis will succeed Richard Harding, who currently serves as interim head of the downstream business.
Timeline
2012: Lewis joins Shell after about 13 years at ExxonMobil.
November 4, 2026: BP announces Lewis's appointment to lead its downstream business.
January 4, 2027: Lewis scheduled to join BP as downstream head.
Industry Reshuffle
The move reflects a broader reshuffling among major oil companies, where executives with chemicals experience are being recruited as Shell weighs selling its chemical assets. BP's emphasis on refining and fuels places its new downstream leader at the center of that strategic shift.
For consumers, changes at BP's downstream unit can influence the company's refining and fuels operations that supply gasoline and other products. Leadership changes of this kind typically affect corporate direction rather than immediate retail pricing.
The takeaway
Leadership shifts at major oil companies signal where strategy is headed, and BP's choice of a Shell chemicals executive points to a focus on its refining and fuels operations ahead of 2027.
What happens next
Emma Lewis is scheduled to join BP as head of its downstream business on January 4, 2027, when Richard Harding's interim role ends.
Further reading
Explore more executive moves in the People section for context on leadership changes across the industry.
