BG picks successor to Chapman BG Group has promoted its head of exploration and infrastructure development to the role of chief executive, replacing Sir Frank Chapman, as the energy company seeks to reassure investors concerned by recently reduced production forecasts. Chris Finlayson, a former Royal Dutch Shell executive and now head of BG Advance - which manages exploration, capital projects, IT and technology - will take the helm on January 1, with Sir Frank moving to an advisory role until retiring in June. Mr Finlayson, who has been with BG since 2010, beat two colleagues and several external candidates for the job, the company said on Thursday. His appointment follows by two months a 20 per cent share price fall after the group revealed production would be flat this year and next, raising concerns about cash flows and investment plans. The share price has recovered somewhat since, but remains a sixth lower than mid-October highs, and at a nadir for the year. "The underlying challenges are relatively severe for whoever takes over," Stuart Joyner, an Investec analyst said. But Chris is a seasoned operator so he'll be perceived as a safe pair of hands. The group has delayed a strategic review due to the handover, which comes about six months earlier than analysts had expected. BG said on Thursday that Sir Frank had been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer but that the symptoms and treatment had not affected his work, and that he remained "fit and well." During Sir Frank's dozen years running BG, the company has vastly expanded its resource base, from 1.2bn barrels of oil equivalent to 17bn, while the share price has soundly outperformed those of rivals. BG is aiming to double daily production by 2020 but will need to overcome challenges such as cost inflation and labour shortages both at projects already up and running and new ones that are part of its continued growth drive. Investec's Mr Joyner argued BG's recent woes had been "as much about communication as delivery" and predicted the company would cut its volume guidance further in the next six months, "if only to manage expectations." Mr Finlayson will also need to act quickly to fill several senior positions at the group, which has already ushered in a new chairman and new chief financial officer in the past two years. Fabio Barbosa, chief financial officer, is off on sick leave until the end of the year. Shares in BG Group fell slightly in early trading in London by 1.36 per cent to £10.51.