THE OUSTED IRISH chairman of oil giant BP has hit out over what he described as a “false narrative” surrounding his departure from the company over claims about his behaviour. 

Albert Manifold, who is originally from Dublin, was removed from the role on Tuesday, with BP saying its board had decided he “should no longer serve as chair and director with immediate effect”.

“This follows serious concerns raised to the Board related to important governance standards, oversight and conduct,” a spokesperson said.

The company’s senior independent director Amanda Blanc said it was “surprised and disappointed” to learn of governance oversight and conduct issues it deems unacceptable “and has taken decisive action”. 

In a statement to the Financial Times, Manifold said he would “not allow a false narrative to go unchallenged”. 

“In my 40-year working career, I have never once had accusations made against me such as those made in recent days. I dispute entirely this characterisation of my conduct.”

He said he was removed “without warning and without explanation”, adding that while he had accepted the removal, “what I do not accept is that lies can be told about me.”

Manifold was born in August 1962 and grew up in south Dublin. His parents ran a hardware store in Kimmage and he attended Templeogue College. 

He went on to do a master’s degree in business studies in Dublin City University and qualified as a chartered accountant. 

In 1998, he joined Irish building materials company CRH – or Cement Roadstone Holdings. He became its chief operations officer in 2009 before taking over as CEO in 2014. 

During his 11-year tenure, he oversaw a 400% surge in CRH’s share price. He orchestrated a €6.5 billion buy-up of assets from European rival firms Holcim and Lafarge, and he sold stock worth €55 million 

CRH began trading on Wall Street in 2023 after delisting from the Irish Stock Exchange.

Manifold consistently ranked as one of the best paid Irish CEOs in the world during his time at the company. In 2023, he was the third highest paid chief executive on the FTSE 100. When he stepped down in 2024, his annual salary was reportedly €11.6 million. 

He joined BP in September 2025 and was appointed chair the next month.

According to anonymous sources quoted by the Financial Times, other directors at BP viewed Manifold as too aggressive and believed he exerted excessive control over the company.

Manifold told the paper that this was “nonsense”, adding: “I have been to BP’s head office in London on approximately 13 days in 2026. I am a part-time non-executive with many other commitments.”

He said during his time as chairman, he worked to drive change at BP by cutting costs, challenging excess and holding the organisation to higher standards.

“Is it possible that in my determination to drive change on costs, performance, the balance sheet and shareholder communications, I pushed hard and challenged people directly? Yes, it is,” he said.

Ian Tyler, corporate executive and UK infrastructure industry leader, has been appointed as the interim chairperson of BP.

A succession process for a permanent chair will be initiated, the company said.