BP, the UK-headquartered energy company, has appointed Kate Thomson as its interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following the reassignment of Murray Auchincloss to the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role. This change came after the resignation of Bernard Looney from the CEO position.

Kate Thomson has an extensive 19-year career at BP, where she currently serves as Senior Vice President of finance for production and operations. In this role, she oversees financial stewardship and commercial partnerships with the company's global operations. Thomson's prior roles at BP include Group Treasurer and Head of Group Tax.

Thomson is a qualified chartered accountant and has experience in professional services firms, including Ernst & Young, where she worked in M&A tax. She has also been a member of the board of Aker BP for seven years and serves on the boards of various BP Group companies.

BP's strategic focus includes both expanding its hydrocarbon portfolio and pursuing decarbonization and green transition initiatives. The company recently awarded contracts to Valaris for drilling operations in Brazil and Indonesia as part of its ongoing activities.