BP names new chair

Manifold will join BP’s board on September 1 as non-executive director and chair-elect, and will take over as chair on October 2.

At that point, Helge Lund will step down as chair and as a director of the BP board, BP said in a statement.

Albert was the chief executive officer of CRH from January 2014 until December 2024.

He is also a non-executive director at LyondellBasell, a global chemicals producer, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and a non-executive director at Mercury Engineering, a privately-owned engineering consultancy.

“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.

“I look forward to working with the BP board, Murray and the leadership team to accelerate delivery of BP’s strategy and drive compelling and sustainable shareholder value creation,” he said.

Earlier this month, BP also appointed Simon Henry, Shell’s former finance chief, to its board as a non-executive director.

In a career of 35 years with LNG giant Shell, Henry held senior finance and management roles internationally and was chief financial officer and a member of the board from 2009 until 2017.

Shell recently denied that it was in talks to buy BP following media reports.

“In response to recent media speculation, Shell wishes to clarify that it has not been actively considering making an offer for BP and confirms it has not made an approach to, and no talks have taken place with, BP with regards to a possible offer,” Shell said.