On the move - Byron lords it as new CFO of BP.

(From Financial Director)

Dr Byron Grote is the new CFO of BP, succeeding Dr John Buchanan who retires after six years in the role. Grote was appointed an executive director of BP and chief exec of BP Chemicals in August 2000. He will retain board responsibilities for the integrated supply and trading function and the Asia region.

Outsourcing and consultancy group Xansa has reshuffled its board and appointed Peter Gill as FD from 1 January 2003. Gill replaces Geoffrey Dunn who resigned during the reshuffle to "pursue other interests". Gill is currently CFO of the Penguin Group, the consumer books publishing division of Pearson, and previously served as group FD of Dorling Kindersley Holdings from 1993 to 1997.

Marconi FD Steve Hare has stepped down and will be replaced in January 2003 by Marconi group FC Chris Holden until a permanent replacement is found.

David Wolffe has left BBC Worldwide after eight years to become AOL UK's finance director. The move follows the recent appointment of AOL Europe's new senior VP and CFO Giles Spackman. Previously, Wolffe worked at the BBC, News Corp, Telewest, Discovery Corp and Pearson.

Rolls-Royce has named Andrew Shilston as its new FD - effective from 1 January 2003. He will succeed Paul Heiden, who in July announced his intention to leave the company at the end of 2002 to become chief exec of engineering group FKI. Shilston was FD of Enterprise Oil from 1993 until 2002 until its takeover by Shell this year.

Packaging company Rexam has appointed Graham Chipcase as group FD from February 2003. He is set to take over from Michael Hartnall. Chipchase spent five years in the audit and tax department of Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte before joining BOC as corporate finance manager in 1990. He left BOC last year to join GKN as FD of its aerospace services business.