Oil Giant BP Climate Crunch Triggers Shareholder Showdown | Helge Lund surviving till 2026? | S1EP39

In the hours after BP underwent its biggest AGM protest vote on outgoing chair Helge Lund in five years, host Alex speaks with Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso on the divisive five year journey that led to the vote.

They discuss the insights into BP's evolving landscape as major shareholders voice concerns over share value comparisons and North Sea strategies with industry rivals. With CEO Lund's future uncertain, the potential for leadership changes could significantly influence BP's strategic direction. As the UK government and pension holders keep a close eye, BP faces mounting pressure to achieve profitability while committing to a responsible energy transition.

Ron's Reuters webpage: https://www.reuters.com/authors/ron-bousso/

Ron's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-bousso-85769a1/

Ron's Spotify page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0eTrXWjYjzWx6s7x3Ca6D2

If you would like to become a partner of the Wolfe Power Club and your company’s ambition to reach the over 50 nations that the podcast has been listened to, come to our partner's day on the 21st May 2025 at the Royal Automobile Club, followed by an audience with former energy minister, Charles Hendry CBE. This is an invitation and ticket-only event, RSVP (emilia@wolfepowerclub.com) for more details.

Ron is the Reuters Energy Columnist. He offers commentary on global energy markets and their intersection with geopolitics, the economy and every day life. From oil and gas to solar and wind power, the world's growing demand for energy is shaping governments' efforts to expand their economies while the world also seeks to decarbonize.

Prior to that, Ron was Oil and Gas Corporates Correspondent at Reuters since 2014, covering the world’s top oil and gas companies and their transition into low carbon energy. He has broken major stories on companies including Shell, BP, Chevron and Exxon. He also looks at the physical oil markets with a focus on European refining. 

Before energy, Ron reported on equity markets in New York in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis after covering conflict and diplomacy in the Middle East for AFP out of Israel.

Call to Action:

- A focus on investment trends, governmental policies, and the evolving landscape of energy consumption, it promises to provide valuable insights for both industry professionals and the general public.

Contact Information:

- If would like to be on a future episode or you would like to become a sponsorship partner, contact us: emilia@wolfepowerclub.com.

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Credits:

- Funk You, Abbynoise, Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/funk-you - License code: 5CEYMJHNJPK0L1G5

- Flomp Beat, All Good Folks, Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/flomp-beat - License code: G9H2S0LXXPH5NCG2

Sponsorship:
Season One is sponsored by Aim Recruit – https://aimrecruit.com/
Aim Recruit is an expert recruiter for transport, logistics and energy positions.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:13 What happened?
• 3:14 The journey to vote and energy transition debate
• 12:09 BP's underperformance in share value
• 18:43 The future of Helge Lund
• 20:20 BP moving pressure onto Ed Miliband and UK government
• 25:51 The North Sea strategy situation
• 31:14 Ron's music career
• 31:58 Quick-fire questions