Hit or Miss?: BP chief executive Tony Hayward to leave his job

Monday's newspapers were filled with speculation of his estimated seven-figure payoff and considerable pension pot. BP finally confirmed the rumours on Monday and said Bob Dudley, head of the Gulf clean-up operation, would replace Hayward as chief executive.

HOW I SEE IT - DAVID HART, Director, head of corporate communications and issues management, Fleishman-Hillard

In a crisis, you need to show you care and that you are in control. Tony Hayward's actions and words following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill achieved neither. His position was clearly untenable, but the manner of the announcement of his departure as CEO has raised questions about BP's media strategy.

Specifically, why did the company allow speculation about his departure, pay and future pension to run for so many days? BP now has a tough task ahead, but not an impossible one.

Once Hayward moves on and BP has proved the solution at the site is permanent, it will need to show it has learned lessons and put measures in place to minimise the chances of a similar disaster happening again. Only then can BP begin rebuilding its battered reputation - MISS.