Ørsted has appointed Simon Ashley as Chief HR Officer and member of the Group Executive Team, effective 1 August 2026. He joins Ørsted after more than 18 years at BP, most recently as Senior Vice President of People & Culture for Gas & Low Carbon Energy and Supply, Trading & Shipping and enabling functions.
The appointment follows a planned succession process. Henriette Fenger Ellekrog, Chief HR Officer since June 2019, has decided to conclude her executive career and will step down by 1 June 2026. From 1 June to 1 August 2026, the People & Culture organisation will be led by Benny Jakobsen, Head of Global HR Business Partnering, Legal & Employee Relations, who will serve as interim Chief HR Officer.
