Suncor Energy Inc. says Mark Little has stepped down as president and chief executive officer and resigned from its board of directors, effective immediately.

Calgary-based Suncor says in a release Friday that it is committed to achieving safety and operational excellence, but has fallen short and recognizes the critical need for change.

The announcement came a day after the company announced that a contractor was killed at its Base Mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta.

Since 2014, there have been at least 12 deaths at Suncor sites, more than all of its oilsands rivals combined.

The fatalities have caught the attention of activist investor Elliot Investment Management, who earlier this spring pointed a finger at SuncorB次元官网网址檚 safety record as part of its case for an overhaul of the companyB次元官网网址檚 board and management.

Board chairman Michael Wilson said in the release Friday that Kris Smith, who is currently executive vice-president of SuncorB次元官网网址檚 Downstream division, has been named interim CEO.

B次元官网网址淪uncor is committed to achieving safety and operational excellence across our business, and we must acknowledge where we have fallen short and recognize the critical need for change,B次元官网网址� said Wilson.

B次元官网网址淲e commend Mark for his professionalism and the exceptional work he did to guide Suncor through the pandemic and lead our sectorB次元官网网址檚 progressive approach to the energy transition. We thank him for his years of service with the company and wish him well.B次元官网网址�

Suncor says its board has formed a committee to conduct a global search to select the companyB次元官网网址檚 next CEO and is engaging a global executive recruiting firm to help with the process.

B次元官网网址� The Canadian Press