Albert Manifold Appointed as Incoming Chair of BP p.l.c., Succeeding Helge Lund
BP p.l.c. (“bp”) has officially announced the appointment of Albert Manifold as the company’s next chair, succeeding Helge Lund, who has held the position since 2019. Manifold will join the board on September 1, 2025, as a non-executive director and chair-elect and will assume full chairmanship responsibilities on October 1. On that date, Lund will step down both as chair and as a director, marking the end of his impactful seven-year tenure with the company.
A Proven Leader Takes the Helm
Albert Manifold brings to bp an extensive and distinguished career marked by transformational leadership and operational excellence. From January 2014 to December 2024, he served as Chief Executive Officer of CRH plc (“CRH”), one of the world’s leading building materials businesses. During his decade-long leadership at CRH, Manifold spearheaded a broad strategic transformation of the company, significantly reshaping its portfolio to strengthen global competitiveness and achieve strong, consistent growth.
His tenure was characterized by disciplined capital allocation, a deep focus on operational efficiency, and robust cash flow generation. These attributes led to a notable increase in shareholder value and helped establish CRH as a global leader in the construction materials sector. The company’s renewed focus on performance and sustainability earned it increased investor confidence and improved long-term resilience, qualities Manifold is expected to bring to his role at bp.
In addition to his experience at CRH, Manifold serves as a non-executive director on the board of LyondellBasell, a global leader in the chemicals sector listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He also sits on the board of Mercury Engineering, a privately held engineering consultancy firm known for its work in advanced technology sectors such as data centers and pharmaceuticals.
Succession Process and Board Confidence
The announcement follows a rigorous, global search led by Dame Amanda Blanc, bp’s senior independent director. Blanc expressed strong confidence in Manifold’s capacity to guide bp through its next strategic phase.
“I am delighted that following a rigorous and comprehensive global search we have been able to appoint Albert as our new chair,” said Blanc. “His impressive track record of shareholder value creation at CRH demonstrates he is the ideal candidate to oversee bp’s next chapter.”
She further highlighted Manifold’s relentless focus on performance, transformation, and return on investment—all qualities the bp board sees as vital to navigating the evolving energy landscape.
“Albert transformed and refocused CRH into a global leader by building on its rich heritage to deliver superior growth, cash generation, and returns. His leadership qualities and international business experience are exceptionally well suited to bp’s strategic ambitions.”
Blanc also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Helge Lund for his dedicated leadership over a pivotal period in bp’s history:
“On behalf of the company, I would also like to thank Helge for his leadership and dedicated service to bp throughout the past seven years. His contribution through a period of immense change has been invaluable.”
Navigating bp’s Strategic Future
Albert Manifold joins bp at a time when the global energy industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by decarbonization, digitalization, and increasing demand for affordable and reliable energy. bp’s strategy, known as “integrated energy company” (IEC), aims to reposition the business for long-term success by investing in low-carbon technologies, electrification, hydrogen, and sustainable bioenergy, while maintaining financial discipline and shareholder returns from its traditional hydrocarbon operations.
Manifold expressed enthusiasm about stepping into the role and supporting bp’s mission to deliver on its energy transition goals:
“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,” Manifold said. “bp has a vital role to play in addressing the world’s growing energy needs. I look forward to working with the bp board, Murray [Auchincloss, CEO] and the leadership team to accelerate delivery of bp’s strategy and drive compelling and sustainable shareholder value creation.”
Manifold’s appointment signals the board’s intent to double down on execution and performance, aligning with investor calls for greater clarity and consistency in bp’s energy transition roadmap. As the company continues to balance its ambitions for a low-carbon future with the realities of current global energy demands, his experience leading global businesses through strategic and structural transformation will be particularly valuable.
About Albert Manifold
Born in Ireland, Albert Manifold holds an extensive academic and professional background in finance and business leadership. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (ACA), credentials that have underpinned his strong financial acumen throughout his career.
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master in Business Studies (MBS), both from Dublin City University. His commitment to lifelong learning and disciplined corporate governance has seen him contribute to organizations beyond the corporate boardroom. He currently acts as a special adviser to the board of CRH and serves as an adviser to the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.
Helge Lund’s Legacy
Helge Lund’s tenure as chair of bp coincided with a period of significant transformation and global uncertainty. Under his leadership, bp embarked on one of the most ambitious transitions in the oil and gas industry—repositioning itself as an integrated energy company committed to net zero by 2050. He helped steer bp through the dual challenges of a volatile commodity market and the COVID-19 pandemic, while overseeing executive transitions and laying the groundwork for a diversified energy future.
His stewardship brought a sharper strategic focus, with the launch of bp’s energy transition strategy in 2020, the appointment of a new CEO in Murray Auchincloss, and a renewed emphasis on investor returns and sustainable operations.
As he prepares to step down, Lund leaves behind a company at a critical inflection point, well-positioned to continue its strategic pivot under new leadership.
“It has been a privilege to serve as chair of bp,” Lund remarked in a separate statement. “I am proud of what the company has achieved over the last several years and am confident that Albert, along with Murray and the leadership team, will continue to steer bp in the right direction.”
A Strategic Moment for bp
Albert Manifold’s appointment comes amid increased investor scrutiny and pressure on oil majors to articulate coherent transition strategies while continuing to deliver robust financial performance. For bp, this leadership transition represents both continuity and renewal—preserving the core direction set under Lund while sharpening execution and accountability under Manifold’s stewardship.
As global energy systems continue to evolve and policy landscapes shift, bp’s ability to innovate, adapt, and lead will be increasingly tested. With Manifold’s arrival, the board seeks to reinforce bp’s focus on performance, capital discipline, and long-term value creation for shareholders, while also advancing its energy transition objectives in a complex and dynamic global environment.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on how Manifold collaborates with CEO Murray Auchincloss and bp’s executive team to advance these goals, build investor confidence, and ensure bp’s relevance and competitiveness in the decades ahead.
