Leadership 13 February 2026 - 2 April 2026

JD Sports Boardroom Fight: Chair Quits After Failed Move Against CEO

JD Sports Boardroom Fight: Chair Quits After Failed Move Against CEO

JD Sports chair Andy Higginson resigned after failing to oust CEO Regis Schultz and secure full board support, the Financial Times reported. Shares fell in London following his departure. JD said there was no board split and majority shareholder Pentland continues to back Schultz. Higginson will step down after the July 21 AGM; Kath Smith is leading the search for a new chair.
April 24, 2026
BP PLC’s New CEO Meg O’Neill Promises Clear Direction as Oil Swings Test Debt Reset

BP PLC’s New CEO Meg O’Neill Promises Clear Direction as Oil Swings Test Debt Reset

Meg O’Neill became BP’s first external and first female CEO on Wednesday, pledging “clear direction” as the company shifts focus back to oil and gas. BP has suspended share buybacks, is selling assets to meet a $20 billion divestment goal by 2027, and cut renewables spending. The company took $4 billion in impairments in February. Brent crude prices jumped over 7% Thursday after settling at $101.16 a barrel Wednesday.
April 2, 2026
BP PLC Loses EV Charging Chief Ahead of Meg O’Neill Takeover as Oil Pivot Deepens

BP PLC Loses EV Charging Chief Ahead of Meg O’Neill Takeover as Oil Pivot Deepens

Martin Thomsen, head of BP’s global EV charging business, has left to join Rolls-Royce as chief procurement and supply chain officer. His departure comes days before Meg O’Neill becomes BP’s new CEO, as the company shifts investment from renewables and EV charging toward oil and gas. BP had about 40,000 charging points and recently cut EV spending below $500 million annually. Brent crude neared $115 a barrel Tuesday.
March 31, 2026
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston Takes Medical Leave, CFO Jeremy Robson Named Acting Chief

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston Takes Medical Leave, CFO Jeremy Robson Named Acting Chief

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston will take temporary medical leave, with CFO Jeremy Robson named acting CEO and Neil Wesley as acting CFO. The leadership change comes as Suncorp prepares to pay its interim dividend and follows a 67% drop in half-year cash earnings after severe weather claims. No return date was given for Johnston. Suncorp shares closed at A$16.42 on Friday, up 0.12%.
March 29, 2026
Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq to Step Down as Cyberattack Fallout and Costs Bite

Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq to Step Down as Cyberattack Fallout and Costs Bite

Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq will step down March 29 after a year marked by a cyberattack and a swing to a £35 million operating loss. Board member Kate Allum will serve as interim chief as the group seeks a permanent successor. Co-op blamed the cyberattack for £285 million in lost revenue and plans to cut £200 million in annual costs in 2026. The leadership change follows reports of a “toxic” culture, which Khoury-Haq denies influenced her decision.
March 26, 2026
BHP Group Ltd Succession Spotlight Sharpens as Geraldine Slattery Emerges in Twin CEO Race

BHP Group Ltd Succession Spotlight Sharpens as Geraldine Slattery Emerges in Twin CEO Race

BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery is under consideration to succeed BHP CEO Mike Henry and is also a contender for the top job at Woodside Energy, according to reports from The Australian and Reuters. Woodside is interviewing candidates and plans to name a CEO in early 2026. BHP has not commented on succession. The miner’s next production update is set for April 22.
March 10, 2026
Workday founder Aneel Bhusri’s $139 million CEO comeback deal hinges on a five-year stock test

Workday founder Aneel Bhusri’s $139 million CEO comeback deal hinges on a five-year stock test

Workday co-founder Aneel Bhusri will receive stock awards valued at $135 million as he returns as CEO, with $75 million tied to share-price targets, a regulatory filing showed. Bhusri’s agreement with co-founder David Duffield gives them control of about 68% of voting power. Workday shares have dropped 51% from their peak, erasing $40 billion in value. Fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year results are due Feb. 24.
February 13, 2026