BP Southern Africa CEO dies

BP Southern Africa CEO Gerard Derbesy has died, the company confirmed on Thursday.

 

"It is with great sadness that BP Southern Africa announces the passing of its CEO, Gerard Derbesy. Gerard passed away suddenly early Wednesday morning," BP spokeswoman Karen Byamugisha said in a statement.

 

"On behalf of the management and staff of BP Southern Africa we extend our condolences to Gerard's wife and four children. He will be missed very much by everyone."

 

BP Southern Africa's chief financial officer Priscillah Mabelane would serve as CEO until further notice, Byamugisha said. She did not give further details on Derbesy's death.

Eyewitness News reported that he collapsed on Wednesday while playing tennis in Dainfern, Johannesburg. Derbesy was announced as CEO on July 1, 2011 and took over on September 1, 2011.

 

He was BP's former head of planning performance, reporting for refining, and marketing. Derbesy graduated with a chemical engineering degree from the University of Marseilles and obtained a doctorate in chemistry from McGill University, Montreal, according to the company's website.

 

-Sapa