Carol Howle is the second woman in succession to take the helm of BP Shipping, a post that has been largely the domain of male executives.

Howle, 46, took on the chief executive role in February when Susan Dio returned to her home base in Houston.

The new chief comes to the job from heading the group chief executive’s office, which has given her broad insight into the company’s strategy, and she admits she still pops back there to see the team for a chat.