Mandhir Singh, bp’s executive for Castrol, will retire at the end of September following a 32-year career with bp, and more than 20 years with Castrol.
Singh will be succeeded by Michelle Jou, who joined bp as of 11 April, and boasts extensive strategic commercial expertise.
Singh joined bp in 1989 after graduating from Leeds University with a PhD in Chemistry. He spent the first years of his bp career in a variety of sales and marketing roles before moving to Dubai as the Strategy Manager for the Middle East and Indian sub-continent.
Singh joined Castrol more than 20 years ago in Singapore where he led the integration of bp and Castrol lubricants across the region before becoming the Regional HR Director for Asia Pacific. He progressed through several leadership roles in strategy and was promoted to Regional Vice President Europe and Africa before stepping in to lead Castrol as Chief Operating Officer in 2015.
As one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, Castrol’s products are recognised globally for innovation and high performance. Castrol is part of bp’s Convenience and Mobility business – one of bp’s three strategic pillars to transform into an integrated energy company.
On Singh’s departure, he will leave behind a significant legacy, as well as a strong platform for Jou to lead Castrol’s future growth.
Jou has more than 25 years of experience across sales, marketing, supply chain, and executive management in the chemical industry.
Most recently, she was Global President of the Polycarbonates business unit at Covestro, one of the world’s leading polymer companies, serving the mobility, electronic and electrical industries. She was the first woman and the first Asian to hold the Global President role and under her leadership, the business unit became the global leader and a trusted partner of choice of many global OEMs.
Emma Delaney, EVP Customers and Products, bp, said Jou will bring extensive experience in strategy implementation, customer centricity, and supply chain.
“Under Mandhir’s leadership, Castrol has set out a clear growth and sustainability strategy that will enable the business to play a key role in bp’s transition to an integrated energy company. I’m delighted Michelle is joining bp and will build on the strong platform already established to drive further growth for Castrol.”
Jou, who is passionate about sustainability, is looking forward to driving Castrol’s sustainability strategy, which sets out aims for 2030 to save waste, reduce carbon, and improve lives.
“At Covestro, I established the first closed loop collaboration with partners in China and introduced the first Carbon Neutral Polycarbonates in the industry into the German market. I’m looking forward to helping drive Castrol’s sustainability agenda through our PATH360 strategy and meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” she said.