Australia’s Woodside transitions interim CEO Liz Westcott to permanent role

March 18 (Reuters) – Australia’s Woodside Energy on Wednesday named its interim CEO Liz Westcott as its new CEO and managing director.

Westcott was made interim CEO when Meg O’Neill left the firm in December last year to join BP as its new boss.

Meg’s exit came in the middle of Woodside’s expansion strategy into North America, betting on a pro-fossil fuel U.S. administration and growing global demand for gas, especially through its Louisiana liquefied natural gas plant.

The newly appointed top boss joined Woodside in June 2023 and has since led Woodside’s Australian operations, including the Scarborough Energy Project and Bass Strait operator transition, as executive vice president and chief operating officer, Australia.

She held top roles at ExxonMobil, where she spent 25 years of her career, working in Australia, the UK and Italy and was chief operating officer at EnergyAustralia.

Westcott steps into the top job as Woodside navigates a softer production outlook, with the company recently flagging lower output guidance for 2026 amid operational challenges and project timing uncertainties.

“Liz’s extensive industry experience and strategic vision will be invaluable in leading Woodside at this significant moment in its history, as we position the company to meet growing global energy demand and deliver long-term shareholder value,” Woodside chairman Richard Goyder said.

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee; Editing by Alan Barona)