Irving Oil announces Alfred Stern as next President & CEO
Alfred Stern, incoming President & CEO of Irving Oil.
SAINT JOHN, NB – Irving Oil has announced the appointment of Alfred Stern as its next President & CEO.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to welcome Alfred Stern as the incoming President & CEO, responsible for leading Irving Oil’s strategy and stewarding the company’s growth,” said Maureen Kempston Darkes, Lead Director of Irving Oil’s Board of Directors. “The Board conducted an extensive global search to identify a leader with the experience, perspective and strategic capabilities needed to guide Irving Oil through its next chapter.”
Alfred Stern will join Irving Oil on October 1, 2026, and assume the President & CEO role effective November 1, 2026. He most recently served as Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV AG, one of Europe's largest integrated energy, fuels and chemicals companies with over 20,000 employees. He has more than 30 years of leadership experience across the full energy value chain spanning operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He has successfully led and transformed large multinational industrial groups through complex transformations and significant strategic decisions, including major organic and inorganic growth initiatives. Alfred has extensive experience working with large joint ventures, strategic partnerships and complex and multi-sovereign stakeholder management. He currently serves on the boards of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Bayer AG.
“I am honored to join the Irving Oil team at such an important time in its history,” said Alfred Stern. “For over a century, this company has been guided by its commitment to employees, customers, businesses and communities. I look forward to meeting our teams, partners and customers across Eastern Canada, New England and Ireland, learning from them and building on the company’s strong foundation by investing in safety, reliability and security of supply, to support Irving Oil’s long-term, sustainable growth.”
As previously announced, current Irving Oil President & CEO Jeff Matthews will retire from the company on November 1, 2026, following a 32-year career. Having served as President & CEO since January 2025, Jeff Matthews’ previous roles in the organization include Chair of Irving Oil’s Executive Management Committee, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Development Officer.
About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a privately held international energy company. For more than 100 years, our commitment to doing good business has been grounded in our commitment to people – to our employees, customers, communities and partners. Founded in 1924, our mission is focused on our continued evolution to meet the changing needs of our customers. Specializing in the refining and marketing of finished energy products, we operate Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Ireland’s only refinery, located in the village of Whitegate. We proudly serve customers through more than 1,000 fueling locations supported by a network of distribution terminals spanning Eastern Canada, New England and in Ireland, operating under the Top brand. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 10 consecutive years and one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, we are proud of our team and our longstanding commitment to our customers and our communities.