PESB fails to recommend candidate for BPCL's CMD post

New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has not recommended any candidate for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Schedule A Maharatna company under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

The CMD post in BPCL set to fall vacant on May 1, 2025. Currently, G Krishnakumar is serving as CMD of BPCL.

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In its selection meeting held on February 1, 2025, the PESB interviewed 12 candidates for the top post at BPCL. The candidates included senior executives from BPCL, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), all of whom hold key leadership positions within their respective organizations. Despite interviewing a diverse pool of experienced professionals, the PESB did not find any suitable candidate for the coveted CMD position.

The candidates interviewed included Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, Director (Finance), BPCL; Khanna S, Director (Refineries), BPCL; Manoj Heda, Executive Director (International Trade and Risk Management), BPCL; Pushp Kumar Nayar, Executive Director (HRD), BPCL; Pardeep Goyal, Executive Director (Retail), BPCL; Chacko Mazhuvanchery Jose, Executive Director (Bina Refinery), BPCL; Subhankar Sen, Executive Director (Lubes), BPCL; Shelly Abraham, Executive Director (Supply Chain Optimization), BPCL; Biju Gopinath, Executive Director (Pipelines), BPCL; Dharmendra Kumar Sharma, Executive Director (Corporate Strategy & Planning and Business Development), HPCL; Hemant Kumar Rathore, Executive Director (UPSO II), IOCL; and Mathew Varghese, Executive Director (Delhi State Office), IOCL.

Following the interviews, the PESB advised the Administrative Ministry/Department to explore alternative means for selection, including the formation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) or any other process deemed appropriate with the approval of the competent authority. The absence of a PESB recommendation may lead to a prolonged selection process, potentially influencing the strategic leadership transition at BPCL.

This development comes at a crucial time for BPCL, as the company continues to navigate a dynamic energy sector landscape. The appointment of a new CMD is critical for steering BPCL’s growth trajectory amid ongoing market challenges and opportunities. Industry observers will be closely watching the next steps taken by the government in appointing a new CMD to lead the company forward.

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