Imperial Oil names Whelan as CEO, Corson retires

Imperial Oil has announced the appointment of John Whelan as president, effective April 1, 2025, succeeding Brad Corson, who will retire after 42 years with the company. Whelan, currently serving as ExxonMobil's senior vice president for upstream operations, will take over as chairman, president, and CEO following the annual shareholder meeting on May 8, 2025. Corson, who has led the company since January 2020, is credited with navigating Imperial through challenges such as the global pandemic while achieving record financial performance. His retirement comes at a complex time for the oil and gas industry, particularly given tensions with the U.S. regarding tariffs on Canadian imports. The transition aims to maintain Imperial's momentum in operational excellence and shareholder value growth, with Whelan expected to build on Corson's legacy. Imperial Oil remains a key player in Canada's energy sector, recognized for its significant contributions to petroleum refining and crude oil production.