Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) has appointed Elizabeth Westcott as its CEO and Managing Director, following a rigorous global recruitment process.
Westcott, who had been serving as the company's Acting CEO since the departure of Meg O'Neill in December 2025, brings over 30 years of international energy industry experience to the permanent role.
Since joining Woodside in June 2023, she has held high-level leadership positions, most notably as Executive Vice President and COO for Australia, where she oversaw critical initiatives such as the Scarborough Energy Project and the Bass Strait operator transition.
Her professional background also includes a 25-year tenure at ExxonMobil and a stint as COO at EnergyAustralia.
Woodside Chair Richard Goyder lauded the appointment, noting that Westcott's deep industry expertise in strategic planning, operations, and regulatory engagement made her the standout candidate.
He emphasised that the decision reflects the company's succession planning and her proven track record of disciplined delivery.
For her part, Westcott expressed being "honoured" to lead the organisation, stating her immediate focus will be on sustainable value creation, operational excellence, and the execution of growth projects.
As Woodside positions itself to meet rising global energy demands, Westcott’s leadership is expected to be pivotal in balancing high performance with long-term sustainability.