Leigh-Ann Russell

EVP Innovation & Engineering at bp, FREng, FRSE, FEI, Professor of Practice

Leigh-Ann is a member of bp’s executive committee, reporting to the CEO. As Executive Vice President, Innovation & Engineering, her role covers that of Chief Scientist, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Digital Officer. In this capacity, she leads an organisation of 5000 scientists, engineers, safety professionals, and digital experts to deliver bp’s purpose to reimagine energy for people and the planet.

Prior to this role, Leigh-Ann held as the role of bp’s Chief Procurement Officer, where she was accountable for a safe, ethical, and competitive supply chain of circa $30B of global spend.

Leigh-Ann’s career has anchored in engineering and operations. Previous roles include Engineering Manager and Operations Manager for bp’s North Sea region, and globally as Vice President of Technical Functions, which saw her lead the process safety, engineering, and operations disciplines for bp’s Wells function.

Leigh-Ann holds a BSc Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, is a Chartered Engineer, and has been recognised with Fellowships of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Energy Institute. Leigh-Ann was also conferred the honorary title of Professor of Practice of Queen’s University Belfast in 2022.

Leigh-Ann is a Non-Executive Director on the board at Hill & Smith Holdings plc., a FTSE250 company which aims to create sustainable infrastructure and safe transport through innovation.