(Reuters) -BP named Albert Manifold, the former boss of building materials producer CRH, as its new chairman on Monday, as it looks to address investor concerns about its strategy and weak share performance.
Manifold, who has not previously held a senior position in the energy sector, will succeed Helge Lund from October as BP navigates a major strategy revamp under persistent takeover and break-up speculation. During his tenure at CRH, its shares soared nearly fivefold.
"(Manifold's) impressive track
record of shareholder value creation at CRH demonstrates he is the ideal candidate to oversee BP's next chapter," said Amanda Blanc, BP's senior independent director, who led the succession process on behalf of the board.
Under his 11-year stint as CEO of CRH, the Irish company reshaped its portfolio by buying and selling assets and moved its primary listing to New York in 2023.
BP's shares rose 0.5% to 402.05 pence in early London trading.
Norwegian national Lund, 62, who has been BP's chair since 2019, fell out of favour with investors after he backed ex-CEO Bernard Looney's ill-fated foray into renewables.
He was re-elected in April with sharply reduced support after coming under pressure from activist investor Elliott Management and criticism from climate-focused shareholders.
BP said in April that Lund intends to exit the firm, "likely" in 2026.
Sam Laidlaw, the former chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica and Ken MacKenzie, retired chair of mining group BHP, were also reportedly approached to succeed Lund.
(Reporting by Yamini Kalia and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman, Kirsten Donovan)
