Albert Manifold appointed BP chair to lead new phase

Appointment comes as BP moves away from low-carbon energy in favor of oil and gas production.

BP has appointed Albert Manifold to succeed Helge Lund as chair of the company. He will oversee the company’s new shift towards a more profitable gas and oil business.

He will join the company’s board on 1 September as non-executive director and chair-elect, and will take over as chair on 1 October.

Manifold was the Chief Executive Officer of CRH from January 2014 until December 2024. Under his leadership CRH strategically reshaped its portfolio and delivered on growth, according to BP.

“It is an honour to be appointed chair of one of the world’s great energy companies, and to have the opportunity to help the company reach its full potential,” said Manifold.

While BP had previously positioned itself as a leader among oil majors in the transition to renewables, recent financial pressures and investor concerns have led to a more measured approach. Under new leadership, BP has scaled back its 2030 emissions reduction target and re-emphasized the profitability of its core oil and gas operations.

“Albert has a relentless focus on performance which is well suited to BP’s needs now and into the future. He transformed and refocused CRH into a global leader by building on its rich heritage to deliver superior growth, cash generation and returns,” said Dame Amanda Blanc.

Helge Lund, who has chaired BP since 2019, steered the company through a period of strategic pivot, including its Net Zero commitment and post-pandemic restructuring.