While BP CEO Tony Hayward may not be resigning, he has finally succumbed to the pressure from critics and shareholders alike and given up his daily crisis management and operations control. CBS News reports:
Hayward is under mounting pressure to step aside, most recently from Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., who said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the oil company boss “should go”.
Shelby said Sunday the fact that Hayward attended a yacht race over the weekend reflects his “gall” and “arrogance,” and illustrates why he should not be in charge of the company.
“I thought that was the height, height of stupidity, and I believe myself that he should go,” Shelby told Bob Schieffer. “I don’t know how he can represent a company in crisis like BP and ignore what’s going on in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Hayward is to hand over day-to-day operations involving the oil spill cleanup in the Gulf to Bob Dudley, a BP managing director who has helped manage the company’s on-the-ground response since May.
While Hayward’s behavior may have make it look as if he was already off duty, he was still very much in charge. With him out of the way, maybe BP can start to turn things around.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/