LONDON (AP) - John Manzoni, BP PLC's refining and marketing chief executive, is leaving the company to head up Canada's Talisman Energy Inc. and will be replaced by fellow executive Iain Conn, BP said Wednesday.
Manzoni was criticized for his handling of safety management after an explosion killed 15 workers at a BP refinery in Texas in March 2005, but the company said that his departure was linked instead to the appointment of Tony Hayward as CEO earlier this month.
BP said that Manzoni was among those considered to replace former CEO John Browne, and that he had decided to look at other opportunities after Hayward's appointment.
Conn's appointment is effective Friday, but Manzoni will stay on for a three-month handover period.
Conn is already a member of BP's executive committee in charge of strategic resources, which includes responsibility for most regions outside the Americas as well as safety and operations and human resources.
BP said Conn's current responsibilities will be shared with other executive colleagues.
At Talisman, Manzoni will replace Jim Buckee as president and CEO starting Sept. 1. Buckee is retiring.