British energy major, BP has announced the appointment of Emma Lewis as its new executive vice president for Downstream and a member of the company’s leadership team, effective January 2027.
Lewis joins BP from rival energy giant Shell, where she most recently served as executive vice president for chemicals, overseeing the company’s global chemicals business, operating assets, commercial ventures, and polymer interests.
A trained chemical engineer with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Leeds, Lewis brings over 25 years of extensive international experience spanning refining, manufacturing, supply chains, commercial operations, and corporate strategy.
Her career includes approximately 13 years at ExxonMobil starting in 1999 where she managed manufacturing operations in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and regional supply chains before transitioning to Shell in 2012.
BP’s Downstream segment is a core pillar of the company’s operations, integrating refining, terminals and pipelines, mobility and convenience, aviation, and bioenergy businesses to connect how fuels are produced, moved, and marketed globally.
Welcoming the appointment, BP Chief Executive Meg O’Neill praised Lewis as a proven leader with deep operational expertise and a strong track record of steering large organizations through major change.
O’Neill emphasized that the Downstream segment is strategically vital to BP’s ongoing success as the company focuses on strengthening performance and building shareholder value.
Reflecting on her new role, Lewis expressed enthusiasm for joining BP’s integrated model and exceptional workforce, noting that her immediate priorities will center on enhancing operational performance, reinforcing safe and reliable execution, and driving sustainable value.
Until Lewis formally assumes her responsibilities in January, Richard Harding will continue to serve as interim executive vice president of Downstream, a position he has held for the past seven months. O’Neill extended gratitude to Harding for his steady leadership and for laying a strong operational foundation during his tenure.
