The board of BP p.l.c. has appointed Andy Inglis as a managing director of the BP Group. He also succeeds Tony Hayward as chief executive of BP's Exploration & Production (E&P) business. Both appointments are with immediate effect.

Mr Inglis joined BP in 1980 and has held a number of E&P posts. He was most recently deputy chief executive of E&P and a member of BP's Group Executive team.

Commenting on the appointment, BP chairman Peter Sutherland said: "I am pleased to welcome Andy Inglis to the board. He will now be responsible for all of the Group's E&P business. This will allow Tony Hayward, as Group CEO-designate, to focus on the transition, working closely with John Browne in the period to the end of July."

Lord Browne said: "Aside from his great strategic sense and business track record, Andy brings deep technical strengths to the board. He is joining a refreshed executive team which I expect to bring renewed momentum to BP's future performance."